With 2 careers, Delta Air Lines, Air Guard pilot covers friendly, unfriendly skies

Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. Steve C. Melton has a fascination with flight that began 'since before I could talk.' Growing up with parents who flew different types of light aircraft, it seemed only natural this southerner would eventually spread his own wings in that same career direction.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

05.08.2006

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

by Spc. Jennifer Sardam
USCENTCOM PAO/ESGR Forward Team

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Lt. Col. Steve C. Melton has a fascination with flight that began 'since before I could talk."

Growing up with parents who flew different types of light aircraft, it seemed only natural this southerner would eventually spread his own wings in that same career direction.

However, Melton took it one step further than just seeking a job.

The Thomaston, Ga., native began serving his country 18 years ago when he enlisted in the U.S. Air National Guard. "I just wanted the chance to fly the jets they flew," said Melton, his voice tinged with humility. "I knew the flight training was the best."

When he's stateside, Melton commands the 158th Airlift Squadron based in Savannah, Ga., where he ensures the squadron is properly trained, manned and equipped.

While deployed here as the aircraft commander of the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, Melton runs air-drop and air-land missions within the area of operations (AOR) of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), a mission managed by U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM).

USCENTCOM, located at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla., is the unified command responsible for U.S. security interests in 27 nations that stretch from the Horn of Africa (HOA) through the Arabian Gulf region, and into Central Asia. USCENTCOM is one of nine unified commands in the Department of Defense (DOD).

Central Command's mission includes enhancing regional stability and demonstrating a steadfast commitment to regional security. CENTCOM is also responsible for executing the Global War on Terror in its assigned area of responsibility (AOR), which includes Iraq, Afghanistan and HOA. Other important USCENTCOM activities include humanitarian and security assistance programs, as well as combined training and education opportunities for military members in AOR nations.

In the CENTCOM AOR, OEF encompasses two major missions led by Combined Forces Command Afghanistan (CFC-A) and Combined Joint Task Force HOA.

CFC-A conducts full-spectrum operations throughout the combined joint operations area to defeat Al Qaeda and associated movements, establish an enduring Afghan security structure, and reshape its posture for the Long War, in order to set the conditions for long-term stability in Afghanistan.

Thanks to his military flight training and real-world experience, Melton was hired as a commercial pilot with Delta Air Lines nine years ago. When he's not mobilized, he flies a 155-passenger Boeing 737-800 for the airline, making three to four trips each week, to destinations throughout the domestic U.S. and Central America.

"I wouldn't have had the chance to do it without the military," he expressed. "It's why I was hired."

His patriotic obligations come first, despite his busy work schedule. When he was called to duty in March, he immediately notified Delta. Luckily for him, this civilian employer is well known for supporting its citizen servicemembers. The company had signed the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve's 5-Star Statement of Support to publicly demonstrate its support for its reserve component members.

Encouragement such as this makes it easy for this pilot to continue serving his nation.

"They're supportive," commented Melton. "All they ask for is supporting documentation such as military orders and a 30-day notice prior to my return."

Today, more than 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is the primary resource for information about the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, commonly known as USERRA. This federal law allows Melton and other mobilized reserve component members to retain their rights, when the deployment concludes.

Established in 1972, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a DoD agency, provides free USERRA education, consultation, and if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain active support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve at [phone].

Thanks to an understanding employer, Melton has the unique opportunity to effortlessly manage two careers in a field he is passionate about. "My employer has been supportive to my family and me while I've been on my deployments," he said.

Melton's combined travels through being both a military and civilian pilot have taken him far. "If I had to venture a guess, I've probably visited about 30 countries," he acknowledged.

But no matter how many miles he covers, his priorities always come down to family.

He misses them, but he feels confident with his wife of five years, Brooke Melton, at the helm. "She's an independent Air Force brat," remarked Melton with a look of pride as he spoke of her. "She sells real estate full time, manages our finances and household while I'm gone, and sends me boiled peanuts and canned Brunswick stew canned in Mason jars wrapped in bubble wrap."

ESGR

• Date Taken: 05.08.2006
• Date Posted: 05.08.2006 17:26
• Story ID: 6307
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF