Col. Paul Hargrove flies F-16 Published Dec. 6, 2009 By Senior Airman Nichole Ramirez 146 AW Fresno, Calif. -- Wing Commander, Col. Paul Hargrove flew F-16 in six-ship, fingertip formation out of sister Guard unit, 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno, Calif. Nov. 3. Upon graduation from pilot training Col. Hargrove's first choice for assignment was the F-16. However, he was required to serve as a T-37 instructor pilot instead, and then was assigned to the C-130 in 1990. Col. Hargrove was able to take advantage of simulator training before taking this flight with Fresno last month. "It all came back to me," he said. He reminisced of his past and commented on how the F-16 could have been his career, but if so, he would not be where he is today. "The C-130 has been good to me and I have enjoyed the people and experiences it has allowed me," said Col. Hargrove. Noting the fighter pilot career is a lonely one, he feels fortunate. "The camaraderie you get flying the C-130 is not something you can find in the fighter world," said Col. Hargrove.
Col. Paul Hargrove flies F-16 Published Dec. 6, 2009 By Senior Airman Nichole Ramirez 146 AW Fresno, Calif. -- Wing Commander, Col. Paul Hargrove flew F-16 in six-ship, fingertip formation out of sister Guard unit, 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno, Calif. Nov. 3. Upon graduation from pilot training Col. Hargrove's first choice for assignment was the F-16. However, he was required to serve as a T-37 instructor pilot instead, and then was assigned to the C-130 in 1990. Col. Hargrove was able to take advantage of simulator training before taking this flight with Fresno last month. "It all came back to me," he said. He reminisced of his past and commented on how the F-16 could have been his career, but if so, he would not be where he is today. "The C-130 has been good to me and I have enjoyed the people and experiences it has allowed me," said Col. Hargrove. Noting the fighter pilot career is a lonely one, he feels fortunate. "The camaraderie you get flying the C-130 is not something you can find in the fighter world," said Col. Hargrove.