Photo By Master Sgt. Kellen Kroening | Staff Sgt. William Pelkofer, a boom operator with the 128th Air Refueling Wing,...... read more read more
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MILWAUKEE, WISC. — There are many different ways to become a pilot in the Air National Guard, but one tried and true path has proven to be the choice for many guardsmen pursuing the esteemed position of pilot: the “home-grown” path.
It can be an arduous route, but can be broken down very simply: enlist in the Air National Guard, earn a college degree, apply for pilot vacancies, get accepted, attend officer training school, and finally attend upgrade pilot training.
For Staff Sgt. William Pelkofer, a boom operator with the 128th Air Refueling Wing, Wisconsin Air National Guard, steps 1-4 are complete. While he is still performing his enlisted aircrew duties, he is well on his way to becoming a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot as he awaits course dates for OTS and UPT.
Pelkofer, a Milwaukee native, began his career by serving in the active duty Air Force for three years as a boom operator at Fairchild AFB, Wash. When his first enlistment came to an end in January 2015, he decided to transition into the Air National Guard so he could move back to his hometown and serve at the 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee.
Becoming a pilot wasn’t always his plan. In fact, Pelkofer wasn’t sure what the Air Force had in store for him until he started to fly as a boom operator.
“I was offered the boom operator position fresh out of basic training,” said Pelkofer. “Once I started flying as a boom, the desire of becoming a pilot became stronger and stronger… I fell in love with flying.”
As a part-time Guardsman, Pelkofer began attending college at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee. When he got closer to finishing his degree in business management, he decided to throw his name in the hat for upgrade pilot training and pilot vacancy at the 128 ARW.
“I interviewed for the UPT position on May 5th, 2018. A few days later I got the phone call offering me the job.”
However, there was one stipulation. Pelkofer was required to finish his college degree within a year of being selected. This meant his final two semesters would be extremely busy.
“I am incredibly anxious to finish college,” said Pelkofer. “I will have taken 22 classes in just under 15 months to ensure that I can attend UPT in 2019.”
While he doesn’t have many flying hours in the cockpit, he has plenty of flying hours as the boom; over 2,000 to be exact. Several pilots he works with in the squadron have taken him under their wing to mentor him and encourage his love for flying.
Pelkofer’s time as an enlisted Airman will be an advantage over UPT candidates with no military experience. The transition into the officer corps will give him an appreciation for what the enlisted force truly means for the mission.
“I think being enlisted prior to becoming an officer gives you a more in-depth picture of the Air Force and, in our case, the tanker mission,” said Pelkofer. “The majority of the Air Force is enlisted and many times the lines between officers and enlisted are broad. Having that prior experience will enable me as an officer to bridge that gap.”
| Date Taken: | 11.15.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 11.16.2018 16:59 |
| Story ID: | 300161 |
| Location: | MILWAUKEE, WI, US |
| Web Views: | 189 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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