News

JSTARS senior surveillance manager puts 10,000 flying hours under his wing

  • Published
  • By Holly Birchfield
  • 78th ABW/PA
Robins Air Force Base, Ga. --  Master Sgt. Robert "Sid" Fernandez, a senior surveillance manager with the 116th Air Control Wing's 330th Combat Training Squadron, topped the 10,000 flying hour mark on May 8.

Sergeant Fernandez, who has been in the Air Force for more than 21 years, is a bit reserved about his achievement.

I was just happy to get it over with and keep doing my job," he said. "The closer it got, it just seemed like it took forever."

The NCO's low-profile approach to his career milestone comes as no surprise to his colleagues.

Senior Master Sgt. Russell Ratley, 330th CTS operations superintendent, said although Sergeant Fernandez doesn't see what the big deal is about his recent achievement, everyone else can.

"To me, it's a huge achievement," he said. "I can't imagine having that many hours honestly. That's a lot of flying. It's pretty much his whole career. I can't fathom having that many flying hours."

Sergeant Fernandez has undergone several assignments since his Air Force career began in 1986, including NATO Airborne Warning and Control Systems in Germany, where he flew in several operations, including Operation Deny Fight, Allied Force, and Joint Guardian.

Sergeant Fernandez was then assigned to the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System where he had several jobs, including superintendent of the 116th Operations Group's Standardization and Evaluations Office, and NCO in charge of the 1A4 Flight in the 330th CTS.

Sergeant Fernandez's flying hours exceed others in the 116th ACW by 2,000 hours, and the NCO ranks fourth in E8-C flying hours with a total of 3,386.

Senior Master Sgt. Steven Helms, 330th CTS superintendent, said Sergeant Fernandez's milestone goes beyond a notch on his career belt.

"I think it's more of a personal milestone really," he said. "You don't see many fliers hit the 10,000 mile mark anymore. Back in the day, it used to be not completely unusual. Today, it's one hell of a milestone."

Sergeant Fernandez said the Airman's large volume of flying hours is a reflection of his commitment to service.

"I think it's just a testament of his attitude and motivation," he said. "He's extremely dedicated. If I needed someone to fly tomorrow and I asked him right now, he would be there."