Speaker Biography: J.B. West
A Lifetime of Aviation and Service
Join us this October for a captivating presentation by Chief Warrant Officer Five J.B. West, a Master Army Aviator whose distinguished military career spans over three decades.
During the Vietnam War, J.B. served a harrowing 12-month combat tour from 1968 to 1969 with the 116th Assault Helicopter Company and the 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry. Operating on the front lines as both a scout pilot and an AH-1 Cobra gunner, he logged an incredible 826 hours of combat flight time.
His dedication to aviation and his country extended far beyond his combat tours. Over his 32-year Army career, J.B. commanded aviation detachments, trained future aviators as a standardization instructor pilot, and mastered an extensive fleet of military aircraft, from the iconic UH-1 Huey to the C-12.
After retiring from the Army in 1999, J.B. brought his expertise to the civilian aviation sector. He continued flying until late 2025, culminating his career with a staggering 27,400 total flight hours.
Military Rank/Status: Chief Warrant Officer Five (CW5), Master Army Aviator, U.S. Army (Retired)
Career Length: Over 32 years (Enlisted September 1966, Retired April 1999)
Vietnam Tour: March 1968 – March 1969
Vietnam Combat Service
- Flew initially with the 116th Assault Helicopter Company.
- Later served with B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry.
- Operated as both a scout pilot and an AH-1 Cobra gunner.
- Logged an impressive 826 hours of combat flight time during his 12-month tour.
Post-Vietnam & Army Aviation Career
- Leadership & Roles: Served as an instructor pilot, maintenance test pilot, standardization instructor pilot, and Commander of Fixed Wing Detachment 49.
- Key Assignments: Stationed at Fort Bliss, Fort Rucker, Fort Hood, and Austin, Texas throughout his career.
- Aircraft Mastered: Piloted a wide variety of military aircraft, including the UH-1 Huey, AH-1G Cobra, OH-6A Loach, OH-58 Kiowa, TH-55, CH-34, U-3A, and C-12.
Civilian Aviation & Post-Military
- Continued his career as a civilian pilot after his 1999 military retirement.
- Earned Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) and Commercial Pilot certifications.
- Achieved Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) ratings and holds 10 distinct aircraft type ratings.
- Retired completely from active flying in October 2025, amassing over 27,400 total flight hours across his lifetime.
- Born and raised in Brownwood, Texas, he currently resides in Irving, Texas, with his wife, Kathy.