"One hundred combat sorties after an 11 or 12 year campaign isn't totally unusual. What's unique for me is that my first combat sortie didn't start until I was well into my career nearly 10 years ago in 2004 -- at age 45. To have my last one here at age 55, for me it's a milestone. I can take that and put it away and maybe tell my grandkids about it someday, that's why it's unique."
Source: After 32 years of service, both on active duty and in the Air National Guard, a pilot stationed at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan recently flew his 100th combat sortie in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Although it isn't uncommon for a pilot to reach 100 combat sorties, Lt. Col. Thomas Blake said the timing is what makes this milestone