Shaw captain named ACC instructor pilot of year

  • Published
  • By Rob Sexton
  • 20th Fighter Wing public affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  A 55th Fighter Squadron instructor pilot at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., has earned recognition as the top in his craft in Air Combat Command.

Capt. Matthew Feeman, a flight commander for the 55th FS, described his role as twofold: he's responsible for ensuring the eight pilots in his flight are ready to go to war anytime, anywhere and, as an IP, takes the input from the weapons and tactics officers and passes it on to the students he instructs.

"Class is always in session," Feeman said, adding that he's always aware of the example he sets as a pilot, officer and individual. He believes that his every action either adds to or takes away from his credibility in those fields. "The greatest lesson you will ever teach someone is by the example you set, whether that's in tactical aviation or in life."

To become ACC's top instructor, Feeman first had to distinguish himself among 17 IPs in his squadron, then the 55 in the 20th Fighter Wing. From there, he competed against the best that each fighter wing in 9th Air Force offered, including A-10, F-22, and F-15E instructors. Feeman lastly vied against the nominees from three numbered air forces to before emerging at the top.

"Success," he explained, "is 'preparation meeting opportunity.' It was my responsibility to be prepared. The good Lord and my leaders gave me unique opportunities that allowed me to stand out."

"God gave me the abilities to be here, and I'm thankful that the Air Force saw the capability (to teach) in me and let me teach other people."

"Captain Feeman is supremely talented," his squadron commander, Lt. Col. Mike Schnabel, declared. "It's his drive to be the best and his love of teaching that set him apart from other instructors."

"Being humble and approachable," Schnabel added, "combined with his credibility in the myriad of F-16 combat missions, allows him to connect with those he instructs and teach them the most current tactics, techniques and procedures needed to employ the F-16CJ to maximum effect."

Contributing to that credibility, besides his two combat tours, Feeman was 55th's Top Gun in 2011, and second overall in the 20th FW.

Feeman's drive, example and instructing "has a force-multiplying effect for both the . . . squadron and the 20th Fighter Wing," Schnabel pointed out.

At any given time, Feeman said, he can be teaching pilots at any level: from newly assigned and still striving to become mission qualified to senior officers.

Feeman mentioned two people he tries to emulate as instructors: The first, he recalled, was his high school chemistry teacher, a Cuban immigrant, who overcame her disadvantaged background to become a great instructor. "I never saw a teacher who cared so much. She made the time for each one of us, not just so we learned the material, but so we developed into people of character, faith, and integrity."

He also cited Maj. Jason Cooper, the "best pilot and instructor I've known." It was Cooper, he said, that taught him to take "complex subjects and make them simple."
"This is not just my award. For every achiever, there are a lot of people who help them (succeed)."

As a pilot, Feeman said he deeply respects the maintainers who provide him good aircraft day after day. "Without them, there is no Air Force," he declared.

"I owe thanks to all (these) for enabling me to be here. However, my biggest thanks go to God. He made me who I am, and blessed me with the ability to do this amazing job. Also, I thank my leaders who had faith in me and gave me the opportunities to succeed."

A 2005 graduate of Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at Florida State University, Feeman has flown in the 20th FW for three years. He's packing his bags now, and heading off to the USAF's Fighter Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., in July, which is a program for tactical aviation IPs. Then it's on to Hill AFB, Utah, to the 388th Fighter Wing.