MARTINSBURG, W.Va. –
Trevor Whittington recently completed officer training school is currently training to be a C-17 Mobility Pilot for the 167th Airlift Squadron.
As a C-17 pilot, 2nd Lt. Whittington will deliver troops, supplies, equipment and weapons to military operations around the world.
Prior to being selected as a pilot, Whittington was a cyber-systems operations specialist for the 167th Communications Flight, enlisting in the 167th Airlift Wing in 2012.
“I like his Air Guard story,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Sigler, 167th Airlift Squadron commander. “I like that he served in the enlisted ranks before being selected for a pilot slot.”
Sigler said that a recommendation from an on-base supervisor goes a long way in the selection process and prior enlisted air crew bring more experience to the Airlift Squadron.
Whittington was selected to be a pilot in April 2017 but he postponed his commissioning to deploy for six months as a cyber-systems operations specialist. Two months after returning home from his deployment he headed to officer training school.
He says his deployment to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, was the most exciting thing he has done in his career so far. For six months he served as a network operations technician for the 380th Expeditionary Communications Squadron.
“I got the opportunity to bond with other Airmen and operate in a high-tempo environment,” he said.
Whittington has Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management and plans to pursue a master’s degree in business and accounting.
“I am proudest of being selected at the unit pilot selection board thanks to the help of my family, many mentors and friends,” he said.
His military goals are to become a full-time C-17 pilot and eventually become a commander.
He said people may be surprised to know that he is the first in his family to pursue a career in aviation.
Whittington’s hobbies include shooting, photography, and working on cars.