Major Sonnie G. Bates, 37, from Independence, KY entered Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training in September 1986. After pilot training, he was assigned as a Primary Jet Training Instructor Pilot at Vance AFB, OK.

In July of 1989, he was assigned to Grissom AFB, IN and was soon appointed as flight examiner and commander of the T-37 Training Detachment. Along with directing flight operations, he also supervised the quality assurance program for the civilian contracted maintenance team, which included functional check flights after major maintenance procedures.

In August of 1993 he was assigned to Dover AFB, DE as a C-5 pilot. In November 1995, he was appointed to command the 436th Aerial Port Squadron's Air Freight Flight, the largest operation of its kind in the Department of Defense. A year later, his organization was named the "Best Air Freight Operation of the Year" by Headquarters, Air Mobility Command.

In December 1996, he was assigned to Wright-Patterson AFB, OH as the System Safety Program Manager for the C-17 Systems Program Office. While there he led the development of the "first ever" engine running deicing procedure for the Air Force and saved millions of dollars in a progressive lease program for the acquisition of fire fighting equipment.

In March 1998, he was assigned to the 559th Flying Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, TX, to train Navy, Marine, Air Force and Allied pilots to become Instructor Pilots in the Joint Specialized Undergraduate Training Program. He was quickly appointed as Flight Commander and Supervisor of Flying. During this time he was awarded Air Education and Training Command's "Aircrew Safety Award of Distinction" for recovering an aircraft with complete loss of electrical power in adverse weather conditions.

In August 1999, Major Bates was assigned to Dover AFB, DE to re-qualify as a C-5 pilot. He was the Chief, Operations and Analysis Branch for the 436th Operations Group. Major Bates was separated from the US Air Force with a general discharge under honorable conditions in March 2000.

Archives - News articles on Major Bates

Education

Northern Kentucky University - Bachelor of Science

University of Washington, College of Engineering - System Safety Management Course

Awards and Medals

Instructor Pilot of the Quarter: 5th Flying Training Sqdn, 559th Flying Training Sqdn, and 12th Operations Group

Company Grade Officer of the Quarter: 3rd Airlift Sqdn, 436th AerialPort Sqdn, and 436th Operations Group

Aircrew Safety Award of Distinction: Air Education and Training Command

Twice awarded Air Force Meritorious Service Medal (1 oak leaf cluster)

Twice awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal (1 oak leaf cluster)

Air Force Achievement Medal