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Feature Alumnus |
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1st Lt. HANYOUN AO JEONG
SPA Class of 2007 B-52 Bomber Pilot United States Air Force Hometown: Pago Pago, American Samoa Years of Service: 8 years total (enlisted & officer) Education: Bachelors of Science in Aeronautics |
Hobbies:
"I enjoy playing golf. I know it's stereotypical Air Force Officer, but I enjoyed playing the game long before joining the Air Force."
Aviation Background:
"I was an Enlisted Air Traffic Controller (Tower) before I became a pilot. Prior to getting a pilot slot, I had very little knowledge of flying. I had a few hours under my belt ina Cessna aircraft and that was just to get a feel for flying and to see if this was something I wanted to commit to."
"I attended pilot training at The Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) at Sheppard AFB, TX. At ENJJPT, I flew the T-6 Texan 2 and the T-38 Talon. I am now learning how to fly the B-52 bomber aircraft."
Advice to future military pilots in Samoa?
"To the kids in Samoa that want to be pilots in the Air Force, I'm here to tell you that you can do it. I was born and raised in Samoa. My first language is Samoan. I am just like you. There is absolutely nothing special about me. I had (and so will you) a lot of hurdles to overcome! You will naturally have a disadvantage when competing with kids who were born here in the States. However, I feel the one thing that got me to where I am now is hard work. Develop these habits now and never let the doubters and naysayers bring you down. If you have any questions about the lifestyle or the path to becoming a pilot in the Air Force, don't hesitate to send me a message. Lastly, always remember, E LEAI SE MEA E TE LE MAFAIA PE A E FA'ALOGO I OU MATUA."
"I enjoy playing golf. I know it's stereotypical Air Force Officer, but I enjoyed playing the game long before joining the Air Force."
Aviation Background:
"I was an Enlisted Air Traffic Controller (Tower) before I became a pilot. Prior to getting a pilot slot, I had very little knowledge of flying. I had a few hours under my belt ina Cessna aircraft and that was just to get a feel for flying and to see if this was something I wanted to commit to."
"I attended pilot training at The Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) at Sheppard AFB, TX. At ENJJPT, I flew the T-6 Texan 2 and the T-38 Talon. I am now learning how to fly the B-52 bomber aircraft."
Advice to future military pilots in Samoa?
"To the kids in Samoa that want to be pilots in the Air Force, I'm here to tell you that you can do it. I was born and raised in Samoa. My first language is Samoan. I am just like you. There is absolutely nothing special about me. I had (and so will you) a lot of hurdles to overcome! You will naturally have a disadvantage when competing with kids who were born here in the States. However, I feel the one thing that got me to where I am now is hard work. Develop these habits now and never let the doubters and naysayers bring you down. If you have any questions about the lifestyle or the path to becoming a pilot in the Air Force, don't hesitate to send me a message. Lastly, always remember, E LEAI SE MEA E TE LE MAFAIA PE A E FA'ALOGO I OU MATUA."
"To teach is to learn twice."
-Joseph Joubert-