Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certificates And Ratings
Timeline
Generic

Andrew AJ Benson

Grand Forks,ND

Summary

Dynamic aviation professional with extensive experience at Life Link III, excelling in flight operations and safety management. Proven ability to enhance operational efficiency through effective team coordination and regulatory compliance. Recognized for mitigating risks and ensuring safety during high-stakes missions, demonstrating strong leadership and communication skills.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience

Work History

Lead Pilot

Life Link III
Detroit Lakes, MN
12.2022 - Current
  • Conducted monthly meetings to ensure alignment across departments.
    Coordinated scheduled maintenance with mechanics to optimize operational efficiency.
    Oversaw daily work schedules to maintain compliance and adequate shift coverage.
    Served as liaison between aviation, clinical, and maintenance personnel to facilitate communication.

Single Pilot

Life Link III
Detroit Lakes, MN
02.2022 - 12.2022
  • Conducted pre-flight inspections to ensure safety and compliance with FAA regulations.
    Facilitated shift briefs with clinical teams to enhance operational awareness.
    Documented unscheduled maintenance items accurately to adhere to regulatory standards.
    Verified adequate fuel levels for patient transports to maintain operational readiness.
    Identified weather hazards associated with patient transports to mitigate risks.

Single Pilot

Air Eval Life-Team
Devil’s Lake, MN
10.2021 - 02.2022
  • Performed pre-flight inspections to guarantee compliance with FAA regulations and safety protocols.
    Maintained operational readiness by verifying fuel levels for patient transports.
    Mitigated risks by identifying weather hazards associated with patient transports.
    Led shift briefs with clinical teams to improve overall operational awareness.
    Ensured accurate documentation of unscheduled maintenance items in compliance with regulations.
    Collaborated with dispatch and operational center teams across the country to meet flight requirements.

Airborne Shooting/Tactics Instructor

Dept. of Homeland Security
Various Locations
08.2016 - 12.2021
  • Oversaw and executed training events across the nation focusing on helicopter and weapon operation in airborne high-risk law enforcement scenarios.

Air Interdiction Agent (AIA) GS-1881-13

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Grand Forks, ND
01.2007 - 01.2021
  • Conducted air support missions across national borders in diverse regions, including desert and mountain areas.
  • Executed high-risk prisoner transport operations within the U.S. using King Air 200 (C-12).
  • Performed air-to-air intercepts of suspect aircraft along international borders in Citation II.
  • Served as maintenance pilot for AS-350 series helicopters, utilizing NVG as single pilot.
  • Operated MQ-9 Predator for aerial reconnaissance missions over national borders and beyond.
  • Executed aerial surveillance for national special security events, including presidential protection and major sports events.
  • Coordinated planning and management of air operations with various federal and local law enforcement agencies.

Intelligence Agent GS-1896-11

U.S. Border Patrol
Bonners Ferry, ID
01.2002 - 01.2007
  • Facilitated joint operations with State, Local, Federal, and International agencies focused on intelligence acquisition and sharing

Border Patrol Academy Instructor

U.S. Border Patrol
Artesia, NM
01.2001 - 01.2002
  • Delivered instruction in Law, Physical Techniques, and Border Patrol Operations for Basic and Advanced courses.
    Managed coordination of activities for basic class of 50 participants during training events.
    Created and updated training materials to support course objectives and effectiveness.
    Assessed trainee performance through evaluations to uphold training quality.
    Led hands-on exercises to apply learned techniques in border patrol scenarios.
    Arranged logistics for efficient execution of training sessions, ensuring optimal resource use.
    Tracked progress of trainees, offering constructive feedback to encourage improvement.

Horse Patrol Agent GS-1896–9

U.S. Border Patrol
San Diego, CA
01.1998 - 01.2001
  • Specialization in executing patrols, facilitating detection efforts, and implementing surveillance strategies in hard-to-reach zones along United States southern border region.

Education

B.S. - Criminal Justice

University of North Dakota (UND)
Grand Forks, ND
01.1995

Skills

  • Flight operations and safety management
  • Multi-engine aircraft operation
  • Tailwheel aircraft proficiency
  • Unmanned aerial vehicle operation
  • High-altitude flying expertise
  • Regulatory compliance and risk assessment
  • Pre-flight inspections and operational efficiency
  • Team coordination and communication

Certificates And Ratings

  • Airplane Transport Pilot (ATP) AMEL
  • CE-500 Type rating Citation II – King Air 200 (C-12)
  • CFI-I SEL Tailwheel endorsement
  • Commercial/Instrument Rotorcraft/Helicopter
  • Commercial/Instrument ASEL
  • Night Vision Goggle (NVG) Certified 2009
  • DHS Maintenance Pilot AS-350 B3/2B1/B3e/H-125
  • HAA Experience BH206/407(GXI) AW-119(KX)
  • M-600 Meridian Certified PIC

Timeline

Lead Pilot

Life Link III
12.2022 - Current

Single Pilot

Life Link III
02.2022 - 12.2022

Single Pilot

Air Eval Life-Team
10.2021 - 02.2022

Airborne Shooting/Tactics Instructor

Dept. of Homeland Security
08.2016 - 12.2021

Air Interdiction Agent (AIA) GS-1881-13

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
01.2007 - 01.2021

Intelligence Agent GS-1896-11

U.S. Border Patrol
01.2002 - 01.2007

Border Patrol Academy Instructor

U.S. Border Patrol
01.2001 - 01.2002

Horse Patrol Agent GS-1896–9

U.S. Border Patrol
01.1998 - 01.2001

B.S. - Criminal Justice

University of North Dakota (UND)

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