Air Force commander hits 3,000 F-16 hours

Photo By Master Sgt. Sara Keller | Col. Patrick McKenzie, 51st Fighter Wing commander, hugs his daughter after reaching 3,000 flying hours in an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, March 28, 2013. Only a little more than 200 F-16 pilots worldwide are documented as sharing this 3,000-hour achievement. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sara Csurilla)  

OSAN AIR BASE, 11, SOUTH KOREA

03.28.2013

Story by Staff Sgt. Sara Keller 

51st Fighter Wing

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Col. Patrick McKenzie, 51st Fighter Wing commander, joined a small elite group of pilots by reaching 3,000 hours in an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Osan, March 28, 2013.

"I feel very lucky to have been able to reach this feat," said McKenzie. "This is a rare accomplishment for any fighter pilot, I have been blessed to fly the F-16 long enough to reach the mark."

McKenzie started his career as a pilot by attending Undergraduate Pilot Training at Reese Air Force Base, Texas, in March of 1989. From there he was sent to Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., and began his career as an F-16 pilot in August of 1990.

He has flown the F-16 at Moody AFB, Osan AB, Aviano AB, Luke AFB, AZ, and he was the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group Commander at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan before commanding the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan.

"While I get to personally reach the milestone, it is not something that I accomplished myself. Many others to include maintainers, support personnel, and fellow fighter pilots have all made this milestone attainable."

Only a little more than 200 F-16 pilots worldwide are documented as sharing this 3,000-hour achievement.

• Date Taken: 03.28.2013
• Date Posted: 03.29.2013 03:12
• Story ID: 104293
• Location: OSAN AIR BASE, 11, KR