Congratulations to <a href="f-16_pilots_num2409.html">Lt. Col. Sam J. Shaneyfelt</a>, Commander 85th TES who passed 3000 Flt hrs on April 24th, 2008.
Lt. Col. Sam J. Shaneyfelt wrote:
The 85th deployed 4 Vipers and 4 Eagles to Hill AFB, Utah from Eglin AFB, Florida on the 18th-25th of April to test & evaluate a NORAD/NORTHCOM urgent need capability. My DO, LtCol Coma Villem is pictured in the first shot. SSgt Fleury (46 AMXS) is in the 2nd.
I was hoping to hit the 3K mark back home at Eglin, but it was fitting it happened at Hill. Exactly six years earlier while stationed at Hill, I'd blown a disc out in my lower back (a not so uncommon injury for Viper Drivers), and was told by several doctors that I'd never fly again.
Evidently the Big Guy Upstairs had different plans.
Next up 4000hours!
Lt. Col. Sam J. Shaneyfelt 85th TES Commander (left) receives congratulations from Lt. Col. Coma Villem on April 24th, 2008 after passing 3,000 Flt hrs in the F-16 while deployed to Hill AFB during a NORAD/NORTHCOM urgent need capability exercise. [Photo by Lt.Col. Sam J. Shaneyfelt]
SSgt. Fleury from 46 AMXS signals to Lt. Col. Sam J. Shaneyfelt, 85th TES Commander, to stop F-16C block 50 #98-0005 after completing a sortie on April 24th, 2008 in which the Colonel passed 3,000 Flt hrs. [Photo by Lt.Col. Sam J. Shaneyfelt]
Lt.Col. 'Boomer' Shaneyfelt hits 3,000 Viper hours. He is the current Commander of the 85th Test & Evaluation Squadron and hit this mark while deployed to Hill AFB during a NORAD/NORTHCOM fighter integration evaluation. [USAF photo]