"Major breaks 1,000 combat hours milestone"

by Tech. Sgt. John Jung
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

10/19/2009 - BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan  -- Growing up in Caldwell, Idaho, Sam Tucker listened to the stories of his grandfather, Lt. Col. (ret) Carroll Tucker, and his exploits as a B-17 Flying Fortress navigator in WWII; young Sam Tucker knew exactly what he wanted to do when he grew up.

Major Sam Tucker is still living out his dream as a flyer in the backseat of an F-15E Strike Eagle here in Afghanistan with the 335th Expeditionary Fighter squadron. Recently, the Instructor Weapon Systems Officer, deployed from the 334th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., broke a milestone that few in his chosen career have reached - he surpassed 1,000 combat hours.

Breaking 1,000 combat hours is a huge feat according to Lt. Col. Eric Trychon, 455th Expeditionary Operations Group deputy commander. "It's a major career milestone and even a rarer milestone for those in the F-15E community," said the Worcester, Mass., native, who is deployed from Nellis AFB, Nev.

"I didn't think this would ever happen," said Major Tucker. "It was always like a bridge too far for me, for everyone really," continued the 12-year Air Force veteran.

"Most guys are just hoping to get to fly 1,000 hours in the jet, let alone 1,000 hours in combat," said Lt. Col. Christopher Anthony, 335th EFS squadron commander, deployed from Seymour Johnson AFB.

"It's all about longevity in flying," said Capt. Taylor Francis, a 4-year Air Force veteran Weapon Systems Officer. "Comparatively speaking, it's like playing football as long as Brett Farve or playing baseball as long as Cal Ripkin Jr.," continued the Dare County, N. C. native, also deployed from Seymour Johnson AFB. "It's day-in and day-out getting the job done and done well."

And getting the job done is what Major Tucker has prided himself in doing. He not only has 1,000 hours in combat, but more 2,300 hours in the Strike Eagle. Never one to shy away from his job or duty, he has deployed five times.

His first deployment was to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, Southwest Asia, then twice to the 379th AEW, Southwest Asia and twice more to Bagram, Afghanistan, where he is currently serving out an extended deployment. Major Tucker has flown in support of Operations Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Deploying so often has been made a bit easier for the major due to the phenomenal support of his wife and children.

"I'm six for thirteen on anniversaries and have more pictures of my children's birthday parties than I've actually been to," said Major Tucker. "Luckily my family understands the mission and what it takes to get it done. My wife is a one-of-a-kind woman, they just don't make them like her anymore. I love her and my children dearly."

The love of his family and the flying is what keeps Major Tucker going as he strives for still further milestones