thedrifter
07-17-04, 06:06 AM
Pomeroy passes 5,000 flight hours
Submitted by: MCAS Iwakuni
Story Identification #: 200471522443
Story by Lt. Col. Samuel A. Kirby
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan(July 9, 2004) -- It was 25 years to the day that Col. Stephen Pomeroy, Marine Aircraft Group 12 commanding officer, first strapped himself in a military aircraft. Now, he has surpassed a mark few Marine aviators ever see in their careers.
On July 9, Pomeroy, upon completion of a routine training flight, exceeded 5,000 total flight hours.
Although the majority of these hours came in the F/A-18 Hornet, he has amassed flight time in numerous military aircraft. These aircraft included training aircraft and tactical aircraft to include the F-4, RF-4 and OA-4. He has flown orientation flights in F-16s and E/A-6Bs.
Additionally, Pomeroy, as the commander of the only composite MAG in the Marine Corps, had the unique opportunity to fly CH-53Ds on a regular basis with Marine Heavy Helicopter squadrons attached to MAG-12.
Five thousand flight hours (the equivalent of 208 days) reflects the career of a Marine pilot who has continuously returned to the cockpit and flown for the majority of his career. With most flights averaging between one and one and a half hours, the 5,000 hours is even more impressive indicating the career of an "operator" or an officer who has been in operational squadrons for most of his military life.
A typical fighter pilot will have approximately 2,000-2,500 hours as a major and will crest through 3,000-3,500 hours as a lieutenant colonel. To attain 5,000 hours an aviator would have flown through the rank of colonel in command, which is exactly what Pomeroy did. This implies the aviator would have attained both squadron command and command of a MAG as Pomeroy did, making the milestone a very exclusive one and a pinnacle of Marine aviation longevity and experience.
Pomeroy will relinquish command of MAG-12 to Col. Howard F. Barker in a ceremony aboard the Station on July 23. Pomeroy is slated to become the Deputy Director, Marine Air Ground Task Force Staff Training Program, Quantico, Va.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200471523140/$file/071604-01l.jpg
After taxiing his aircraft on the flightline, Col. Stephen Pomeroy, Marine Aircraft Group 12 commanding officer walks into a shower of congratulations, courtesy of a Station fire hose, July 9, for reaching a milestone of 5,000 accident-free flight hours during his career. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Brian Henner
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/5DC0B8E2B01A556A85256ED3000F0503?opendocument
Ellie
Submitted by: MCAS Iwakuni
Story Identification #: 200471522443
Story by Lt. Col. Samuel A. Kirby
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan(July 9, 2004) -- It was 25 years to the day that Col. Stephen Pomeroy, Marine Aircraft Group 12 commanding officer, first strapped himself in a military aircraft. Now, he has surpassed a mark few Marine aviators ever see in their careers.
On July 9, Pomeroy, upon completion of a routine training flight, exceeded 5,000 total flight hours.
Although the majority of these hours came in the F/A-18 Hornet, he has amassed flight time in numerous military aircraft. These aircraft included training aircraft and tactical aircraft to include the F-4, RF-4 and OA-4. He has flown orientation flights in F-16s and E/A-6Bs.
Additionally, Pomeroy, as the commander of the only composite MAG in the Marine Corps, had the unique opportunity to fly CH-53Ds on a regular basis with Marine Heavy Helicopter squadrons attached to MAG-12.
Five thousand flight hours (the equivalent of 208 days) reflects the career of a Marine pilot who has continuously returned to the cockpit and flown for the majority of his career. With most flights averaging between one and one and a half hours, the 5,000 hours is even more impressive indicating the career of an "operator" or an officer who has been in operational squadrons for most of his military life.
A typical fighter pilot will have approximately 2,000-2,500 hours as a major and will crest through 3,000-3,500 hours as a lieutenant colonel. To attain 5,000 hours an aviator would have flown through the rank of colonel in command, which is exactly what Pomeroy did. This implies the aviator would have attained both squadron command and command of a MAG as Pomeroy did, making the milestone a very exclusive one and a pinnacle of Marine aviation longevity and experience.
Pomeroy will relinquish command of MAG-12 to Col. Howard F. Barker in a ceremony aboard the Station on July 23. Pomeroy is slated to become the Deputy Director, Marine Air Ground Task Force Staff Training Program, Quantico, Va.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200471523140/$file/071604-01l.jpg
After taxiing his aircraft on the flightline, Col. Stephen Pomeroy, Marine Aircraft Group 12 commanding officer walks into a shower of congratulations, courtesy of a Station fire hose, July 9, for reaching a milestone of 5,000 accident-free flight hours during his career. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Brian Henner
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/5DC0B8E2B01A556A85256ED3000F0503?opendocument
Ellie