Generation to generation: Carrying on C-130 legacy

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jayden Ford | U.S. Air Force Capt. John Rebolledo, 62nd Airlift Squadron C-130J instructor pilot, flies a C-130J at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, Aug. 28, 2019. Rebolledo uses his knowledge and wisdom from the lessons he has learned to help teach the next generation of pilots as a flight instructor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jayden Ford)  

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, AR, UNITED STATES

09.02.2019

Story by Airman 1st Class Jayden Ford 

19th Airlift Wing

Every box is checked and the crew is ready to go. The familiar hum of a C-130J engine begins to fill the cockpit as the plane slowly begins to creep forward inch by inch. They reach the runway, and the planes rotors begin to spin vigorously as it darts forward. Within a few moments, the Herk is gliding gracefully through the air.
U.S. Air Force Capt. John Rebolledo, 62nd Airlift Squadron C-130J instructor pilot, feels great pride in working tirelessly to achieve his childhood dream of becoming a pilot of the C-130 aircraft.
Rebolledo knew he wanted to be behind the controls of a C-130 from a young age. He grew up around the rich history and traditions that came with being a part of Herk Nation.
“My dad was a C-130A model crew chief in Vietnam, so I grew up hearing all the stories about tactical airlift and about how great the C-130 was and still is today,” Rebolledo said. “Once I decided I wanted to be a pilot, I knew I wanted to fly the C-130.”
After graduating high school, Rebolledo attended the Air Force Academy for four years in hopes of achieving his dream of flying.
Upon graduating from the academy, Rebolledo was given a pilot training assignment where he would finally achieve his dream of flying. This came with a few obstacles, including getting air sick during the first half of the course.
“This was the first time I thought I might not end up being a pilot,” Rebolledo said. “Eventually, after a lot of perseverance and discipline with getting back in the pilot’s seat and flying over and over helped me overcome it.”
The young pilot was now on his way to make his dream a reality. He recieved orders to go fly the C-130H model in Yokota, Japan, for three years then transitioned over the C-130J model.
“The mission is very rewarding,” Rebolledo said. “We go into places that have been struck by natural disasters. The people there are extremely desperate because their lives have just been upended, so we bring in things to aid them like food, vaccines and clothing. When you are doing a job like that it’s pretty easy to take pride in your job.”
Rebolledo proved himself to be a skilled pilot and was given the daunting task of teaching the next generation of C-130 pilots.
“We are teaching guys who have never touched the plane before,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Chance Hansen, 62nd AS assistant director of operations and Rebolledo’s supervisor. “When you are teaching someone at that skill level, it takes a lot of extra work, and you really have to be on your game to be able to fly and be safe.”
Rebolledo takes gratification in being given the opportunity to communicate his knowledge and love of the C-130 to his predecessors.
“Now, I take a lot of pride in being an instructor because I get to take my experiences like humanitarian aid and wartime experiences and translate that into something meaningful for these students who are coming through,” Rebolledo said.
Being able to accept that you won’t always have the right answer drives Rebolledo to find the proper solution to the problems at hand.
“It takes a lot of humility – some pilots have it and others don’t,” Rebolledo said. “To me that means recognizing that you don’t know everything and having a humble spirit. It’s important to always want to learn lessons from pilots that are older or younger than you.”
Maintaining his reputation of being an outstanding pilot and a superior instructor garnered Rebolledo attention from his current leaders.
“He is an excellent addition to the squadron,” Hansen said. “I was excited when I saw him on the inbound list to come here. I requested him by name to work for me because I have worked with him before and I know how solid of a pilot and office worker he is.”
In the end, Rebolledo pursued his C-130 legacy and used that as motivation to push through adversity in order to make his dreams become a reality.
“I'm immensely grateful and very satisfied with what I do,” Rebolledo said. “Being a C-130 pilot had been my dream from a young age so being able to self-actualize and obtain my dream is so deeply rewarding. I also gain a lot of satisfaction in imparting my love for this airplane and this mission to the new generation that is going to be flying and performing the tactical airlift mission.”

• Date Taken: 09.02.2019
• Date Posted: 09.05.2019 15:42
• Story ID: 338567
• Location: LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, AR, US