Lt. Col. Bob Volpe, call sign “Legend,” retired from active duty on Apr. 12, after an extraordinary U.S. Air Force career. Volpe’s career was marked by an incredibly rare achievement: he logged over 10,000 flight hours. This milestone, seldom reached by pilots in the Air Force, solidifies Volpe’s place in aviation history.
Volpe began his journey as a pilot in 1989, accumulating experience across various aircraft, including the T-38C Talon, C-130 Hercules, T-37 Tweet, and T-6A Texan II. Throughout his career, Volpe completed an astounding 7,000 sorties, dedicating 5,200 hours to the T-6 alone. “We talk about how it takes 10,000 repetitions for a person to become an expert,” Lt. Col. Christina Hopper, the 5th Flying Training Squadron commander, said. “Ten thousand hours means Bob is an expert in Air Force aviation and instruction. He knew the names of every student he flew with; not just their names, but their stories.”
Volpe’s legacy extends far beyond this numerical accomplishment. As an instructor pilot with the 5th Flying Training Squadron at Vance Air Force Base, his impact resonated deeply with students and fellow instructors alike. Volpe’s teaching prowess was characterized by patience, empathy, and a profound understanding of his students. He possessed an innate ability to connect with aspiring pilots, earning the reputation of being the go-to instructor for those facing challenges in the demanding flying training curriculum. “He’s the instructor that students want to fly with and the instructor that commanders want flying with students who struggle,” Col. Joel Pauls, the 71st Operations Group commander, noted. “He’s the mentor other instructors seek out when they have questions.”
Volpe’s dedication to nurturing future aviators is undeniable. Capt. Kailtyn Cook, an 8th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot and one of Volpe’s former students, had the privilege of flying alongside him during his historic 10,000th hour. Cook emphasized the immense effort behind this accomplishment, stating, “This is not 10,000 hours at cruise on autopilot. He has more than 5,000 times put his gear on, buckled into the plane, flew a sortie, and debriefed.”
Volpe’s retirement marks the end of an era, but his contributions to the Air Force and the countless pilots he mentored will continue to inspire generations to come. He embodied the true spirit of an instructor pilot, leaving an indelible mark on the world of aviation. “Lt. Col. Volpe’s dedication to the students, his empathy for them and understanding of what they’re going through is unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” Pauls said. “He is a consummate professional, highly disciplined, hardworking and incredibly skilled. I see these attributes in all phases of his life, whether it’s as an officer, military aviator, husband, father, grandfather or friend.” Volpe truly earned the title of “Legend.”
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Put his airplane with name on it to the USAF Museum in Dayton, OH to honor such devotion.
My father, Col. Ivan Oman, a military pilot finished his 39-year career with a total of 16,500 flying hours. He earned the 15,000 accident free safety award in 1977.