News brief -- B-1 pilot reaches 4,000 hours Published July 1, 2009 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- A B-1B Lancer pilot here joined an elite group of aviators June 4 when he surpassed 4,000 hours in the airframe. Lt. Col. Timothy Schepper, 28th Operations Group deputy commander, accomplished this feat during a local training mission. "Lt. Col. Schepper is one of three aviators in the world with this many B-1 hours, and the only one still flying on active duty," said Col. Buck Shawhan, 28th Operations Group commander. "This accomplishment is a testament to his expertise in the B-1, his devotion to operational flying and his ability as a skilled aircrew member throughout his career. We're lucky to have him flying with us and expect to be around when he passes 5,000 B-1 hours." Including student hours, Lt. Col. Schepper has more than 5,000 hours total in the T-37, T-38, B-52 and B-1 as a navigator and pilot. His total includes nearly 900 combat hours.