U.S. Customs & Border Protection Engineer Racks up 50 Years, 23,000 Flight Hours in P-3

Paul J. Waeghe, Junior will be retiring this year after 48 years and 23,000 hours as a P-3 flight engineer.

Waeghe has spent the bulk of his life in federal service of one stripe or another, entering the US Navy in 1973. He operated in a P-3 training patrol squadron, working his way upwards in units operating the same platform. Eventually, he found himself a flight engineer instructor and evaluator, even overseeing a Naval executive detachment that oversaw travel for the admiralty.

After separating from the Navy, Waeghe joined the US Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations arm. From 2000 on up, Waeghe acted as instructor and senior flight engineer at the National Air Security Operations Center in Jacksonville, Florida.

“Paul is a true professional and his knowledge of the P-3 is unsurpassed,” said Kraig A. Kamp, Director of National Air Security Operations Center-Jacksonville. “He has led an unparalleled career in aviation. Air and Marine Operations will miss his expertise as a flight engineer and instructor, but we are thrilled that he will be enjoying his hard-earned retirement after giving 50 years of service to our nation.”

“Find something you love doing and strive to achieve the highest that goal can offer,” says Waeghe's advice to the young bucks. “I can truly say that since the age of 19, I have never really worked a day in my life. I used to joke that I would do what I did in the U.S. Navy and Air and Marine Operations for free.”

FMI: www.CBP.gov