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Can Do One flies 5,000 hours

  • Published
  • By Pascual Flores
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Col. Richard E. Williamson Jr., commander, 305th Air Mobility Wing, earned the right to wear the coveted aviator's 5,000 hours flying patch Feb. 4, 2014, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.

Williamson completed the monumental milestone becoming one of the few active-duty wing commanders to log 5,000 flying hours. Col. Michael G. Rickard, 305th Operations Group commander who earned his 5,000 hours flying patch, presented the elusive 5,000 hours flying patch to Williamson, on behalf of Maj. Gen. Frederick H. Martin, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander.

"When I came back to flying after the War College at Travis (Air Force Base, Ca.), I realized I was 300 and something hours away and it was a lofty goal knowing I only flew one mission while I was the vice-commander," said Williamson. "I knew I wanted to surpass the 5,000 hours for myself partly because I love flying."

"I showed up here as a second lieutenant and cut my teeth on a C-141 and to be able to come back to meet this milestone now as the commander of the 305 Air Mobility Wing is a great feeling," said Williamson. "My three assignments here at McGuire, now JB MDL, have been really rewarding and it feels like home."

The achievement is unique; less than a dozen active-duty wing commanders have reached this aviation milestone.

I accumulated a lot of flying hours during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, said Williamson.

During Operation Enduring Freedom, Williamson accomplished the deepest combat insertion of Marine forces into hostile territory in the history of the United States Marine Corps and set numerous milestones in the history of the C-17 Globemaster III. The milestones include the first-ever combat landing on an unimproved dirt landing strip, first-ever use of a Special Operations Low Level aircrew under threat of hostile action and first-ever use of night vision goggles to fly blacked-out approaches and landings in enemy territory. Williamson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for these accomplishments.

Williamson distinguished himself in March 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom for leading the second element of a C-17 four ship, night vision formation airdrop through a medium-threat environment to deliver outsized heavy equipment and special operations warfighters and captured a hostile Iraqi airfield. His execution of the first-ever C-17 combat airfield assault enabled the establishment of a forward operating base that would serve as the primary staging location for special forces combat operations throughout the war. The Air Force awarded Williamson a first Oak Leaf Cluster to his DFC.

"In fact, I still consider myself a crew dog," said Williamson. "When I get out and fly with those guys, I tell them the O-6 disclaimer every time: I am a crewmember today. We are out here to learn,"

Despite his prestigious accomplishments, Williamson knows he could not have done it alone.

"It is a great personal milestone," concluded Williamson, "but more importantly, it's a great achievement for all the men and women of the 'Can Do' wing and of the greater Air Force community here."

Williamson is responsible for the wing's 32 KC-10 Extender and 13 C-17 aircraft as the 305th AMW commander.