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| News > Capt. Michael K. Dodson |
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Capt. Michael K. Dodson
Posted 7/23/2008 Updated 7/24/2008
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7/23/2008 - Airmen of Raider 21 -- Captain Dodson was a native of San Antonio, Texas. He attended Embry Riddle Aviation University where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Aviation Science while enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Program. In 1999 he graduated from ERAU and earned his commission as an Air Force Officer. Captain Dodson was recently working on his Master's in Business Administration from American Military University as well.
Captain Dodson began his military career at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. He was assigned to the 562nd Flying Training Squadron where he excelled in the Joint Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training program. He graduated from JSUNT in 2001 and was highlighted by his peers as the "Outstanding Contributor" of his class. Following graduation, Captain Dodson proceeded to Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, where he graduated in the top 10-percent of his C-130 Navigator Initial Qualification Class and was the distinguished graduate of his Airdrop Qualification course. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the 41st Airlift Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina.
Captain Dodson spent four years in the 41st Airlift Squadron where he was chief of tactics. In addition, Captain Dodson was a distinguished graduate from the navigator instructor school and later was upgraded to evaluator navigator. He gained tremendous flying experience in the C-130 attaining 293 combat hours and 365 combat support hours in Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.
In 2005, Captain Dodson was competitively selected for and attended Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Upon graduation, Captain Dodson was selected to fly the B-52 and assigned to Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. He completed his copilot initial qualification through the 11th Bomb Squadron in 2007 and soon found his operational home with the Buccaneers of the 20th Bomb Squadron. Captain Dodson was selected for squadron officer school in residence almost immediately and stood out as a top third graduate of the program. Captain Dodson was then selected to be the C-Flight commander. In 2008, his expertise was highlighted by the Air Combat Command Inspector General by being identified as a "Superior Performer" during the 2d Bomb Wing's nuclear surety inspection.
In May 2008, Captain Dodson deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam in support of the Department of Defense's continuous bomber presence mission in the Pacific. There he continued to serve as a Flight Commander in the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron.
Captain Dodson was a Pilot and Navigator with 2,121 hours of flying time including 293 combat hours. His awards include the Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster.
Age: 31
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