TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the ceremony: 2nd Lt Jensen Brandt, 79th ARS Student Pilot, Master Sgt. Timothy Stepp, 79th ARS Chief of Training, Master Sgt. Frank Carlos, 79th ARS A Flight Chief, Lt. Col. Kevin Lane, 79th ARS Chief Pilot, Lt. Col. Eric Clifton, 79th ARS Instructor Pilot, Maj. Samuel Dickson, 349th SFS Commander and Chief Master Sgt. Terry Monges, 79th ARS Chief Boom Operator. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

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349th 'superstar' earns kudos, wings

Published Oct. 16, 2009
By Lt. Col. Kevin S. Lane
79th Air Refueling Squadron

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- On Sept. 4, 2nd Lt. Nicholas E. Silva, 79th Air Refueling Squadron, earned his pilot wings at ceremony at Columbus AFB, Miss., graduated with several awards including the Order of Daedalians AETC Commander's Trophy, which is presented to the graduate who achieved the highest overall rating in all facets of training. Lieutenant Silva was also recognized as a Distinguished Graduate, graduating in the top 10 percent of his class.

Lieutenant Silva is a former KC-10 Boom Operator from the 79th ARS who was selected by the 349th wing commander to become an officer and attend Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training.

Lieutenant Silva's journey to become an Air Force pilot began as a simple childhood dream in his hometown of Redding, Cailf. He enlisted in the Air Force Reserves on March 1, 2005 and became a KC-10 Inflight Refueling Journeyman (aka, Boom Operator) on Sept. 1, 2005. Although the lieutentant excelled as a KC-10 boom operator, he never stopped pursuing his dream of becoming a pilot.

Lieutenant Silva earned his B.A. degree from California State University, Sacramento, on May 25, 2007, thus completing the final requirement to apply for officer training and a pilot slot.

The 79th ARS recognized Lieutenant Silva's talent and potential and sponsored him as a pilot candidate. The 349th AMW SUPT Board interviewed him on June 20, 2007 and unanimously recommended that he be selected to attend OTS and UPT. Lieutenant Silva reached another milestone when he was sworn in as a officer on April 30, 2008.