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Chief reaches 10,000 hours

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jessica Clark
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  May 22 was a momentous day for a few Travis members. Among them was Chief Master Sgt. Luis Drummond, 60th Operations Group superintendent, who reached 10,000 hours as a boom operator, refueling a F-35 Lightning II, F-16 Fighting Falcon and KC-10 Extender.

"It's hard to put it to words," Drummond said. "It's common for pilots to achieve 10,000 hours or more, but in the KC-10 world it's a rare and memorable achievement."

Drummond started his military career in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1984 as a radio operator and transferred into the U.S. Air Force as a boom operator for KC-135 Stratotankers at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. Throughout his career, Drummond has traveled all over the world and mentored many.

"Today is my fini flight as well as the 10,000 hours for Chief Drummond, which is a milestone in any air career," said Col. John Millard, 60th Operations Group commander. "To be part of this for his career is great. He has never stopped mentoring me."

Tech. Sgt. Willie Morton, 6th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, echoed Millard's thoughts.

"Chief Drummond was my first chief and supervisor in the boom," Morton said. "This is personal to me because I get a chance to be part of his milestone that you don't always see."

Drummond coached Airman 1st Class Abbey Braunstein, 6th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, through refueling her first F-35.

"It's an honor to fly with Col. Millard and Chief Drummond," Braunstein said. "It's always good to fly with Chief Drummond. He always gives good advice and is a good instructor."

"Being a boom operator is a rare fraternity and group of people. We take pride in what we do," Drummond said. "I enjoy being a boom operator."

To show his pride, Drummond purchased a flag on his first TDY in Okinawa, Japan, in 1985, that served as a reminder throughout his 10,000 hour career.

"The flag reminds me of what we do," Drummond said. "We fight for freedom, we save lives and we ensure the legacy of this great country survives. It reminds me of my fellow aviators that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. I carry this fly to honors those lost wingmen."