KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Becoming a fighter pilot was Air Force 1st Lt. Andrew "Snapper" Lehman's childhood dream. He started flying at the age of 17 and has worked hard ever since to make that dream count.
Now he's here with the South Carolina Air National Guard's 157th Expeditionary Fighter, part of the 169th Fighter Wing, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, providing armed over watch, reconnaissance and close air support for the troops on the ground who serve outside the wire and, at times, come under fire from the enemy.
"Personally, I can't imagine a higher calling," he said. "There's no better way for me to serve my country than by flying an American fighter jet. Going out there, protecting the skies and protecting our guys on the ground. I'm fortunate to be in a position, trained and equipped to help them."
The path to becoming a fighter pilot is long and arduous. For Lehman, that path began in April 2004 when he enlisted in the Alabama Air National Guard. He worked in non-flying positions for four years until he was accepted by the South Carolina Air Guard to become a "Swamp Fox" fighter pilot in May 2008.
From submitting his application paperwork in October 2007 to starting fighter pilot training in July 2009 and earning his wings a year later, Lehman said he constantly challenged himself to stay motivated.
"The second you let your motivation fall, the second you take your eye off the prize, is the second you're not going to make it," he said.
The process of becoming a fighter pilot is a stressful journey, said Lehman. The job itself is intense and Lehman said the ability to demonstrate you can handle high stress from the get-go is a must.
"It's a challenge in its own to get the job to begin with," he said.
After competing for and earning an opportunity to interview for a pilot slot, candidates go up against ten to 15 other highly qualified and motivated men and women, all with their eyes on the same prize.
"Applying and interviewing around the country is by far the hardest part," he said. "It's easy to lose your motivation."
Lehman made the cut and said that flying the F-16 alone for the first time during pilot training was his favorite part of the process.
"The whole experience was phenomenal," he said. "It's obviously a very memorable day."
Now deployed to Afghanistan, he said that stepping to the jet for his first combat sortie was somewhat nerve racking. The lieutenant admited to butterflies and a fair amount of nervous anticipation, but, once he was wheels-up, he said he settled down and focused on the mission.
"Flying that first combat mission was pretty enjoyable," he said. During that mission, the pilots traveled around the country, communicating with the troops at various forward operating bases about certain areas they had encountered or marked that needed additional surveillance. The pilots also were tasked with route reconnaissance, searching areas that are traveled daily for roadside bomb emplacements to ensure safer missions for coalition forces.
"We were out there to give (ground troops) the warm fuzzy," said Lehman. "Our jet noise in the sky alone lets the non-friendlies know we're there and can react quickly. Though nothing eventful happened while we were out there, we served our purpose. We had combat-ready airplanes in the air, ready to respond to anything. And I think that, in and of itself, is a success."
He said he considers himself fortunate to belong to a fighter squadron with a wealth of experience and talent and said the more seasoned members of the unit have helped prepare him for any mission that may come up.