Afghanistan AEF 2012

South Carolina Air National Guard Maj. Ian "Chester" Toogood, an F-16 pilot, climbs out of his jet after returning from a mission over Afghanistan on Aug. 5, 2012. Members of the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., are deployed to KAF in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Swamp Fox F-16's, pilots, and support personnel began their Air Expeditionary Force deployment early April to take over flying missions for the air tasking order and provide close air support for troops on the ground in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Stephen Hudson)

Afghanistan AEF 2012

South Carolina Air National Guard Maj. Ian "Chester" Toogood, an F-16 pilot, completes paperwork after returning from a mission over Afghanistan on Aug. 5, 2012. Members of the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., are deployed to KAF in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Swamp Fox F-16's, pilots, and support personnel began their Air Expeditionary Force deployment early April to take over flying missions for the air tasking order and provide close air support for troops on the ground in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Stephen Hudson)

SCANG pilot hits 2,000 hours in Afghanistan

Published Aug. 14, 2012
By Tech. Sgt. Stephen Hudson
169th FW/PA-Deployed

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Another SCANG pilot hit a professional landmark during the current Afghanistan deployment. Maj. Ian "Chester" Toogood hit 2,000 hours in the F-16 on July 15 while providing base defense over Kandahar Airfield.

"I have been fortunate to be in the cockpit my whole career," Toogood said. "I think it's more memorable to reach it here in combat."

Toogood said he made a radio call to his wingman the minute he hit the achievement.

A 1999 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Toogood completed F-16 pilot training and several active duty assignments at Luke and Shaw Air Force Bases before joining the SCANG in 2008. He has flown 29 combat missions in since deploying in June. He has deployed and flown in four operations including Operations Southern Watch, Northern Watch as well as Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Toogood said he enjoys flying the F-16 and he followed in his older brother's footsteps as an Air Force F-15 pilot. Toogood currently serves as the Assistant Director of Operations for the Aerospace Control Alert.