514th Flight Test Squadron pilot earns Pilot of Distinction Award

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  • 514th Flight Test Group
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  
Lieutenant Col. Kevin “Sonar” Hall, a Citizen Airman test pilot with the 514th Flight Test Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, was presented the 2015 Air Force Reserve Command Pilot of Distinction Award earlier this year for his quick and decisive action during an emergency that occurred while he was conducting a functional check flight on an F-35B following routine programmed depot maintenance on the aircraft.

“I am greatly honored to receive this award,” said Hall. “The depot operations here have been a major success story! We routinely deal with malfunctions during check flights because the aircraft haven’t flown in several months to several years after modifications and upgrades. The F-35 has established an exceptional pass rate compared to legacy aircraft. This situation was unique as the flight was the very first F-35B flown here. My emergency training kicked in and our team’s hard work and preparation paid off and I was able to safely recover the jet without incident. I’m very proud of what our squadron has accomplished and that we were able to support the initial operational capability timeline for the Marines.”

Sonar is the fighter flight commander at the 514th FTS. He is an F-35 and F-16 Functional check flight instructor pilot and evaluator pilot who directs the final quality assurance for all F-35 and F-16 aircraft following PDM, modifications and major repairs at the Ogden Air Logistics Complex.

“Sonar is the stalwart of a trailblazing team of Citizen Airmen that not only fly the sorties, but have also successfully established the nation’s only organic F-35 depot that serves cross-service and international partners,” said Col. Jeffrey Brett, 413th Flight Test Group commander. “His actions in this particular case are not surprising and are indicative of the quality and expertise of our highly trained team of Reservists in the 413th FTG.”

The 514th FTS is part of the 413th FTG, a U.S. AFRC unit based at Robins AFB, Georgia, which conducts extensive ground and flight checks on aircraft to ensure they are airworthy after PDM. Today, the group's units are stationed throughout the United States, as tenant units conducting functional check flights. The group is a partnership between the Air Force Material Command and AFRC and serves as the operational command headquarters for the geographically separated depot flight test units.