Airman Spotlight: 1st Lt. James Kotowski Published March 29, 2010 By 36th Fighter Squadron OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Unit: 36th Fighter Squadron Job title: Fiend wingman, squadron electronic combat pilot Job description and its impact on the overall mission: I have the honor of being a Fiend fighter pilot. I am in the greatest fighter squadron in the Combat Air Forces. As a wingman, I check my flight leads six, act as the primary shooter in air-to-air engagements, and get my bombs to the target area because Fiends don't miss. As the electronic combat pilot, I specialize in the electronic warfare element of combat and maintain our squadron's combat capability by keeping abreast on the latest developments and educating my fellow pilots accordingly. Time in the military: Three years, six months Time at Osan: Six months Family: My beautiful, supportive wife Natalee who is six months pregnant with our first child, Jackson, who will be born in June Hometown: New Braunfels, Texas Hobbies: Flying F-16s, as a Fiend, is my favorite thing to do! Why did you join the military? I joined the U.S. Air Force because I have always wanted to fly the greatest fighter ever created: the Viper. After graduating from the Air Force Academy, I realized that being an officer and being a pilot is great, but the Air Force is bigger than anything I do individually. Where do you see yourself in 10 or 20 years? In 10 years I see myself with three to four kids, still married to Natalee and living in Germany. I'd like to be the weapons officer in a CAF Viper Squadron, or an instructor pilot in the Joint Strike Fighter. In 20 years, still happily married to Natalee, I'd like be the squadron commander of a SEAD Viper Squadron. What do you do for fun here? Because of the rigorous work schedule we keep, anytime I can spend with my wife is a blessing. We've gone to Seoul, participated in numerous ITT trips, gone skiing, and have taken advantage of everything Osan has to offer. We are preparing for our first child so much of our free time is tied up reading books on how not to screw up. It's exciting and scary! What's your favorite Air Force memory or story? My favorite memory is when our four-ship of Fiends were tasked to fight our way into a heavily fortified target area during a recent exercise escorting a four-ship of Kunsan Vipers. This is my favorite memory because it culminates the past seven years of my air force life. The Academy, pilot training, IFF, the B-Course, MQT, all of my instructor pilots, and lots of hard work got the bombs to their targets. I was very proud when we landed to be part of the greatest fighter squadron in this Air Force. What accomplishment are you most proud of? I am honored to be married to my wife. She is my best friend. I can't wait to start our family with the birth of our first in June. She gives me the strength and confidence to perform in the worst of situations. She sacrifices a lot as an Air Force wife and I hope she knows I appreciate every bit of it. Who are your role models? My dad was a KC-10 Extender pilot in the Air Force for 20 years. He is my biggest hero. I remember him leaving for Desert Shield/Desert Storm when I was a kid. I didn't want him to leave but I knew he had to go do some good work. He taught me what it means to be a servant leader and an honorable man. My grandfather is my other hero. He didn't go to college because of the troubles from the Great Depression. He worked hard every day and made everything he has from his hard work and sacrifice. It is men like my grandpa that define the American spirit. It's men like him that inspire me to serve.