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U-2 pilot reaches 2000 hour mark

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class George Cloutier
  • 9th RW Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  A U-2 pilot with the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron reached the landmark 2,000 flying hours July 21.

Maj. Jon Huggins, a U-2 instructor pilot, is now among the few pilots who have reached the career milestone. After his recent flight, the major has accumulated a total of 5,000 flying hours combined with his time in the T- 38.

"This is a personal milestone of sorts," Major Huggins said. "It's more of a testimony of how much the U-2 program means to me."

As a testimony of just how much the U-2 program means to the major, he's been with the U-2 for the majority of his career.

"I've stuck around here off and on for the last 17 years, and it's been totally voluntary," he said. "Everyone has a lot of 'pride and ownership' of the U-2 program, and that's what makes the U-2 program so special to me."

To get where he is today, Major Huggins has gone through a long path that has frayed in many directions, but never too far from the highaltitude mission.

"After pilot training from '85-'86, I stayed at Laughlin AFB, Texas as a T-38 instructor from '86-'89," Major Huggins said. "I heard about the U-2, applied, interviewed, and was hired in May '89. After six months of training at Beale, I went to Alconbury Royal Air Force base, UK, where we had a squadron of U-2s until 1993. After that, I went back to AETC (Air Education and Training Command) to fly the T-38 at Randolph (AFB, Texas) as an instructor in PIT (Pilot Instructor Training) from '93 to '96. I requested to come back to the U-2, and served at Beale from '96-2000, as an instructor pilot in both the two seat U-2 and the T-38."

In 2000, the major made the decision to separate from the Air Force, but it wasn't long before he was back in the cockpit again.

"In 2000, I separated from the USAF, but in July '01, I requested to come back on active duty to fly the U- 2," he said. "A few months later, I was back at Beale, living the good life, back in the surroundings I've known for most of my professional career and I've been here since."

Throughout the duration of his career, Major Huggins has remained directly involved with the mission by employing the U-2 in various scenarios and conflicts.

"I've got so many great experiences, from getting to employ the U-2 in situations like Desert Storm, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Kosovo, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom," the major said.

Some notable moments throughout his career were flying combat sorties on the opening day of Desert Storm and Allied Force, Major Huggins said. Flying the first operational sortie in the Senior Spur aircraft and being in the first U-2 to over fly Bosnia-Herzegovina was also very exciting.

After such experiences, it becomes clear why Major Huggins decided to return to the U-2 program.

"Getting out of the USAF, seeing the outside and returning to active duty has made me realize how much satisfaction I get from this career," he said. "After this many years, it's in my blood, and I really want to continue to lend my expertise and experience to this unique program."

Even after his upcoming retirement, the major plans to stay with the program as a civilian.

"I'm retiring in March '07, and it is going to be very hard to hang up the flight suit at that time," he said. "I'm going to miss it like you can't believe. I hope to return to the U-2 program as a civil service or contract pilot, or at least to work in some aspect of high altitude reconnaissance in my post-retirement career."

With many accomplishments behind him in his career path as a pilot, and a new career ahead, Major Huggins gives due credit to those who have helped him along the way.

"5,000 hours in the 9 RW might be a bunch," he said, "but I'll never forget how much effort it takes from so many folks who work behind the scenes to make that happen. To those people, I salute you, and thank you from the bottom of my heart."