Mr. Meyers becomes "Mr. 5,000" over mountains of Afghanistan

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Aubree Rundle | Command members and staff from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade congratulate Army Chief Warrant Officer Jim Myers by dousing him with water in celebration of Myers' completion of more than 5,000 flight hours at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VIII Oct. 22.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

10.31.2007

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Krishna M. Gamble
TF Pegasus Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – How long does it take to rack up 5,000 hours of flight-time? For some businessmen and women, that can be accomplished in a matter of months as they travel worldwide on a regular basis. For a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot, it will take a few years. In fact, it took 21 years for Army Chief Warrant Officer James Myers to earn the title of "Mr. 5,000."

"Just try to be as safe as you can and take it one flight at a time," said the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade standardization pilot as he received his aviation 'baptismal' at the conclusion of his flight Oct. 22 over the mountains of Afghanistan.

"It was a good flight and my first time flying with him," said Army Chief Warrant Officer Nichole Frederick, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 82nd CAB, who was the co-pilot on this flight. "I have no words to explain ... I'm in awe. I have only about 600 hours."

"(Today's military pilots) will make hours early, flying about 500 to 600 hours per tour depending on what aircraft they fly and whether they're deployed or stateside," Myers said.

Myers began his career as a CH-47 Chinook mechanic crew chief. After seven years, a friend of his submitted his packet for him to go to flight school and become a warrant officer and a pilot.

"It was kind of an accident (that became a blessing). I liked being a sergeant," Myers said, who is now a CW5.

Myers said one of best things about what he does as a pilot is the ability to support the ground forces in deliberate operations, transportation, mail, food, medical supplies and equipment.

"I never want Soldiers on the ground to be without (anything)," he said.

With thoughts of retirement in the coming years, opportunities are available for Myers to continue his career as a pilot. According to Robby Timmons with the Tyler International School of Aviation in Tyler, Texas, from now and for the next couple of years pilots will need between 3,000 to 5,000 flight hours to fly for a major airline, 1,500 to 2,500 hours to fly for a regional airline, and around 1,200 hours to fly a charter/freight plane.

"Military pilots have a marked advantage," Timmons said "That's why it is so important to keep accurate flight log records, to get ratings and any other official documents that they might have."

But as enticing as the prospect of working for a major airline may be, Myers has his heart set on pursuing his artistic talents.

"I'm going to make military figurines," he said. "I'm an artist."

• Date Taken: 10.31.2007
• Date Posted: 10.31.2007 14:13
• Story ID: 13522
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF