Airman reaches flying milestone

By Ryan Woodard, Journal staff | Wednesday, February 28, 2007

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A B-1B Lancer bomber weapons system officer stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base reached an impressive milestone for flying hours, according to a news release from base officials.

The release said Maj. Wayne Catanzaro, a 28th Operations Support Squadron instructor weapons system officer, recently reached a milestone of 4,500 flying hours.

Catanzaro reached the milestone while performing a bombing run.

"I dropped two GBU-31 guided weapons on enemy compounds," Catanzaro said in the release. "We allowed coalition ground forces to accomplish their mission objectives that day."

Catanzaro said reaching 4,500 hours was not easy.

"Preparation time for 4,500 hours can translate into about 15,000 hours of mission planning, the mission briefing and then the debrief," Catanzaro said. "It's mind-staggering."

Col. Gerald Plourde, 28th Operations Group commander, said in the release that Catanzaro is the "finest weapons system officer" he knows. He also agreed with Catanzaro about the preparation time needed to fly 4,500 hours.

"While achieving 4,500 hours in the B-1 is a tremendous milestone event, his accomplishment is not significant for overall hours alone," Plourde said. "Behind those 4,500 hours are the countless aviators he instructed who are now bringing the fight to the enemy."

Plourde also said he is impressed with Catanzaro's professionalism.

"He leaves an indelible mark on many of us as we attempt to emulate his selfless professionalism in and out of the cockpit," he said.

Catanzaro thanked the crew members who helped him reach his goal, calling them the "the super people behind the machines."

"Jets do not fly without the great maintainers and support personnel," he said. "I thank them all."