Alaska Reservist reaches 1,000 F-22 flight hours

by Tech. Sgt. Dana Rosso
477th Fighter Group Public Affairs

9/26/2014 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii  -- Maj. Ryan Pelkola, a Reserve F-22 pilot assigned to the 302nd Fighter Squadron, is the eighth pilot in Air Force history to reach 1,000 flight hours in the F-22 during a sortie here September 9.

"It feels great to reach this milestone doing a job I love," said Pelkola. "During my 1000 hour sortie I gave an upgrade ride to Col. Charles Corcoran as part of his syllabus to be a combat mission ready wingman. When I was active duty in the 525th FS he was my squadron commander and gave me the majority of my instructor pilot upgrade rides. I feel like we have come full circle and I am glad he was a part of this milestone."

Prior to joining the Air Force Reserve Pelkola spent 12 years on active duty flying F-15s and F-22's in Alaska before relocating to Holloman AFB, NM. He separated from active duty in 2013 and returned to Alaska to fly with the Reserves' 302nd FS.

"It was a privilege to fly on Maj. Pelkola's wing as he reached this significant milestone," said Col. Corcoran, 3rd Wing commander. "I learned a ton.  He is a fabulous instructor and we are lucky to have officers of his caliber on our Total Force team."

Pelkola is now the third pilot assigned to the 477th Fighter Group to reach the 1,000 hour milestone. Col. David Piffarerio, 477th Fighter Group deputy commander, was the first in the Group and the entire USAF and Maj. Jonathan Gration, 302nd FS F-22 pilot, was the second in the Group and the fourth in the USAF.

"The squadron prides itself on being tactically proficient as our first priority," said Pelkola. "In doing so we provide tremendous support to the active duty."

The 477th FG is integrated in every F-22 mission set with their partners in the active duty 3rd Wing.

"This is a huge milestone in a pilot's career, and to be one of the first pilots to reach 1000 hours in the Raptor is particularly noteworthy," said Col. Tyler Otten, 477th Fighter Group commander. "Maj. Pelkola's sortie today is also a great indicator of the tremendous partnership we are creating between the reserve and active components.  Together, we stand poised to conduct the nation's business as a total force team."