Col. Robert Polumbo, vice commander of Air Force Reserve Command’s 482nd Fighter Wing at Homestead ARB, Fla., surpassed 4,000 flying hours in an F-16. SrA. Erik Hofmeyer reports that Polumbo, a 1984 Air Force Academy graduate, has been flying F-16s since 1985. He joined the Reserves after 14 years on active duty and kept right on flying the F-16. His hours include 100 in combat.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.