Fighter squadron commander achieves milestone

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrea Knudson
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  Lt. Col. Keith McBride accomplished a flying achievement when he reached 3,000 flying hours in the A/OA-10 fighter aircraft Sept. 6. Joining the 3,000 flying hours club is no easy task, according to the colonel who relinquished command of the 81st Fighter Squadron Sept. 7.

"I am proud and thrilled to achieve 3,000 hours," the fighter pilot said. "It is a big milestone in any fighter aircraft and only comes after a career long dedication to becoming an expert in that fighter."

Colonel McBride's career began in 1988 when he entered the Air Force from Texas A & M's ROTC program. Since then, the former Aggie has flown A-10s for 14 and half years of his 19 years in the Air Force.

"Following pilot training, my first assignment was to England Air Force Base, La., to the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing, "Flying tigers" flying A-10s," Colonel McBride said. "I arrived two days before my squadron deployed to [Operations] Desert Shield [and] Desert Storm. I've flown nothing but A-10s since pilot training. I was out of the cockpit one year for Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., and another year and a half at the Pentagon on the Air Staff."

The former fighter squadron commander also commanded the 81st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, from May to September 2006, engaging in 24-hour combat operations. He said his time in Afghanistan was one of the highlights of his time here because of his team's accomplishments.

"This command tour was amazing, defined around an historic Air and Space Expeditionary Force deployment to Afghanistan in the summer of 2006," said the colonel who briefed A-10 capabilities and Operation Enduring Freedom close air support employment procedures and challenges to every commander in the OEF area of operations. "I am proud of the squadron's accomplishments and contributions to the Global War on Terrorism.

"Two of the 81st FS pilots [earned] Air Force-level individual awards for amazing close air support missions where the enemy and Coalition fighters were less than 50 meters apart," he said. "You can only imagine the level of precise and expeditious weapons employment required to save those soldiers lives. Two of our maintenance Airmen [earned] U.S. Air Forces in Europe Lt. Gen. Leo Maquez award nominations as the best aircraft maintenance professionals.

"Senior Airman Ryan Conversi was the best Airman crew dog in USAFE and [then Tech. Sgt.] now Master Sgt. Andy Jewitt was the best aircraft maintenance NCO in the whole Air Force. The 81st FS was recognized by the USAFE commander as the USAFE Commander's Trophy winner for 2006. We share this distinction with the 81st AMU as we ops folks can do nothing without their incredible sortie generation ability. I am very proud of the performance of the 81 FS/81 AMU team. They are awesome and easily the best in NATO."

Colonel McBride said the 52nd Fighter Wing is unusually lucky to have three A-10 pilots with more than 3,000 flying hours.

"Lt. Col. [Daniel] Hawkins, the Air Ground Operations School commander, has more than 3,500 hours in the A-10 and continues to fly with the 81st FS as an instructor pilot sharing his vast wealth of knowledge and experience," Colonel McBride said. "Lt. Col. Timothy Hogan, who [is now the 81st FS commander], achieved his 3,000 hours on Sept. 11, 2006, during a combat mission in Afghanistan. He dropped [his entire] ordinance and emptied the 30mm gun's 1150 rounds on Taliban and insurgent fighters that day. I am sure that was a memorable day for him as this is for me. [Thursday] was the last day I [got] to fly as an A-10 squadron commander ... and I [got] to fly with my friend and replacement. I'll pass him the lead of the formation overhead the field symbolizing a passing of command."

Colonel McBride will temporarily stay onboard working for the wing commander's Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century program here.