419th pilot reaches 3,000 hours in F-16
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --
An Air Force reservist in the 419th Fighter Wing reached 3,000 flying hours in the F-16 here today. Lt. Col. Andrew Chudy, a pilot in the wing's 466th Fighter Squadron, reached the milestone when he flew two back-to-back sorties this afternoon.
"Achieving 3,000 hours is a significant personal and professional accomplishment for a fighter pilot," said Col. Brian Silkey, 419th Operations Group commander. "It's a testament to the Air Force Reserve's ability to retain experienced Airmen and maintain a high level of combat capability."
Hill's reserve F-16 pilots boast an average of 1,800 hours in the F-16. Only about 300 F-16 pilots worldwide have reached 3,000 hours in the aircraft, Silkey said.
Chudy, who has been a reservist for most of his Air Force career, joins two other current 419th pilots who've racked up 3,000 hours. He flew the landmark flight alongside three other 419th pilots. Together, the four-ship has a combined total of 9,600 hours in the F-16.
Chudy plans to retire in May, on the 26th anniversary of his commissioning.
"Achieving 3,000 hours is a significant personal and professional accomplishment for a fighter pilot," said Col. Brian Silkey, 419th Operations Group commander. "It's a testament to the Air Force Reserve's ability to retain experienced Airmen and maintain a high level of combat capability."
Hill's reserve F-16 pilots boast an average of 1,800 hours in the F-16. Only about 300 F-16 pilots worldwide have reached 3,000 hours in the aircraft, Silkey said.
Chudy, who has been a reservist for most of his Air Force career, joins two other current 419th pilots who've racked up 3,000 hours. He flew the landmark flight alongside three other 419th pilots. Together, the four-ship has a combined total of 9,600 hours in the F-16.
Chudy plans to retire in May, on the 26th anniversary of his commissioning.
