JedisonsDad
Verified SOF
First, I would like to say hello to everyone, and thank you for what you all do.
I initially became interested in the Air Force and entered the delayed enlistment program in November of 2007. I had aspirations of becoming a PJ, but a motorcycle wreck hindered my ability during the PAST and I failed to meet standards. I shipped for basic in March of 2008 with a guaranteed job as an aircraft hydraulic systems specialist. I served two years at RAF Mildenhall with the 352nd maintaining MC-130H/P Talon IIs and Combat Shadows. After that I spent one year on Little Rock AFB maintaining slick C-130E/Hs. I applied for retraining at my three year mark, and was selected for Flight Engineer. During training I was selected, along with a fellow student, to become the first AC-130H Spectre Gunship FEs straight out of the school house, having the minimum hour requirement waived. I excelled in training and became fully qualified and mission ready in January of 2013. I deployed with the squadron in May of 2013, with only 79 flight hours. I spent just over 100 days in Afghanistan, accumulating 42 combat sorties and 225 combat hours. Those three months were an amazing time for me, and I supported some wonderful people. I was lucky enough to not lose anyone overhead, but did have one Army personnel receive a gunshot wound. He survived and we later were able to visit him in the hospital. I think it would be amazing if he or someone he knows frequents this website and could give me an update on his recovery. Anyway, I am still with the 16 SOS and hope to be with them till the end. After that I would like to get into the CSAR mission, or onto the U- Model gunship.
I initially became interested in the Air Force and entered the delayed enlistment program in November of 2007. I had aspirations of becoming a PJ, but a motorcycle wreck hindered my ability during the PAST and I failed to meet standards. I shipped for basic in March of 2008 with a guaranteed job as an aircraft hydraulic systems specialist. I served two years at RAF Mildenhall with the 352nd maintaining MC-130H/P Talon IIs and Combat Shadows. After that I spent one year on Little Rock AFB maintaining slick C-130E/Hs. I applied for retraining at my three year mark, and was selected for Flight Engineer. During training I was selected, along with a fellow student, to become the first AC-130H Spectre Gunship FEs straight out of the school house, having the minimum hour requirement waived. I excelled in training and became fully qualified and mission ready in January of 2013. I deployed with the squadron in May of 2013, with only 79 flight hours. I spent just over 100 days in Afghanistan, accumulating 42 combat sorties and 225 combat hours. Those three months were an amazing time for me, and I supported some wonderful people. I was lucky enough to not lose anyone overhead, but did have one Army personnel receive a gunshot wound. He survived and we later were able to visit him in the hospital. I think it would be amazing if he or someone he knows frequents this website and could give me an update on his recovery. Anyway, I am still with the 16 SOS and hope to be with them till the end. After that I would like to get into the CSAR mission, or onto the U- Model gunship.
