**Recommendations From:** LtCol (Retired) Derrick W. Jee

**Title:** CV - 22B Osprey

Contract Simulator Instructor Pilot, CV - 22B Evaluator Pilot (Retired) **Date of Hire:** N/A

– Lo ckheed Martin Contract Instructor Pilot **Primary Phone:** 850 - 699 - 3226 **Alternate Phone:** 850 - 581 - 2439 **Email Address:** jeeforce45@cox.net **Years Acquainted:** 9 **Flying Comments:** It is with great pleasure that Irecommend Daniel Florence for employ ment with a major/legacy airline as First Officer . I have flown with Dan since he graduated Initial CV - 22 Qualification Course in 2010 and witnessed his progression to Instructor Pilot. As a CV - 22 pilot, Dan is one of a handful tasked to operate the most complex aircraft in the Air Force inventory . Dan has survived the growing pains of learning a new air frame that is not fortunate enough to have ye ars o f institutional knowledge in it s wake. He has experienced complex emergencies and stressful situations in the CV - 22 that most aviators will never experience. I have been through several flying events with D an as either my co - pilot or my wingman. In 2011, I was crewed with Dan during a joint exercise where we were tasked nightly to fly under low visibility conditions through the Cascade Mountain R ange in order to get to our target. Due to the limitations of our aircraft and customers , we were unable to fl y above the mountains and through the weather

— we relied on a low - level route we previously survey ed in the day time. During our return to base , the weather through the pass began to worsen. At that time, our terrain - following RADAR and icing sy stems failed. With Dan’s calm demeanor and assertiveness as m y co - pilot, we were able to use our backup s ys tems to successfull y navigate the pass and remain under the snow storm , avoid ing dangerous terrain and ice . O n a local training mission, Iwas formation lead with a Distinguished Visitor (DV) , foreign pilot whose country was interested in buying V - 22s. On this night, as we fought to navigate around thunderstorms on a low - level route, my weather RADAR failed. Dan was my wingman. I knew he could handle m y following request

— I asked him to take the lead and get us to the target on time. He did so perfectly , safel y navigating the formation around hazardous weather and ground obstacles th erefore enabling the success of the demonstration for the DV. Later that year, o n a Task Force Trainer with a Ranger Regiment, Dan and his crew was tasked as the dedicated Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) aircraft. Besides his normal duties as a CV - 22 pilot , Dan remained on - call after infiltrations in the event that our customers became wounded. He responded to a dozen time sensitive CASEVACs, penetrating low - level fog in order to successfull y extr act over 150 Rangers. As Daniel’s evaluator on his aircraft commandercheck ride, I personall y declare that Dan iel is a competent, proven aviator in a very complex aircraft. **Work Comments:** Daniel alway s display s a high degre e of integrity , responsibility , and ambition wh ile performing duties as CV - 22 Instructor P ilot. Dan is definitely a leader, mentor, and combat proven pilot. As a Flight Commander for 6 crews and 84 personnel, he has passed on his experiences and lessons learned to his flight by

building multiple simulator scenarios and running numerous continge ncies over the shoulder to ensure his crews are ready for combat. As the Chief of Training, Dan aced our Aircrew Standards and Evaluation inspection earning an Air Force Achievement medal for “Outstanding Achievement”. I am absolutel y confident Daniel wi ll be an invaluable asset to your organization, and I am happy to give him m y wholehearted endorsement.