Just talking with Jim Kohler about aviation makes your head spin. This Newark pilot has flown more than 40 aircraft types, ranging from fighters to transports to seaplanes; he has flown to 50 different countries on six continents during his 28 years with the Delaware Air National Guard (DANG). His pilot hours exceed 12,500.
Lt. Col. Kohler has been an instructor pilot and evaluator pilot on the C-130 Hercules. He deployed to war on many occasions, including the "War on Drugs" in South America, "Desert Storm," Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Africa and Bosnia. Cumulative time away from home: two years as Commander of the 142nd Airlift Squadron. Currently, he is Director of Operations for Headquarters at DANG.
In his civilian capacity, Jim was a Westwind jet instructor at FlightSafely International, has been a pilot with DuPont Company for 24 years, and has been DuPont's chief pilot since 2006, flying Gulfstreams and Hawkers.
A champion of all forms of aviation, Jim serves on numerous state and national aviation boards. He recently was named to the Delaware Aviation Advisory Council. An Eagle Scout, he is an aviation merit badge counselor for scouts in New Castle County He started an internship in the aviation degree curriculum at Delaware State University.
Jim joined DANG in 1981, following graduation from Rutgers with a bachelor of science degree in business management. He attended the Air War College, plus a host of other military and civilian academic programs in the ensuing years.
Jim was born in 1958. He and his wife Karen have two sons: Michael and Christopher, who are pilots. Christopher is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Michael is a graduate of the University of Delaware.
