HOME PILOT

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https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/HOME-PILOT
HOME PILOT
28 Sep 2015 | PEOPLE

HOME PILOT

STORY // Ong Hong Tat
PHOTO // Mark Teo

MAJ Jeremy Koh, 32
Super Puma pilot, 126 SQN


It is easy to stereotype Major (MAJ) Jeremy Koh as someone who has it all - the dashing pilot with a beautiful family.

But the 32-year-old has his share of challenges too. "I usually get home late from work, so I try to be efficient - to focus and prioritise my tasks so that I can have that family time."

A typical day starts early in the morning with operation briefs and pre-flight checks, followed by flying (sometimes up to four hours, depending on the mission), then back on the ground to do some paperwork and answer e-mail, said MAJ Koh.

In the chase to be efficient, he brought his boxing hobby into the home. "I got the equipment so that it's easy to exercise while I'm home," said the father of one. He counts five in his family - him and his wife Tracie, one-year-old daughter Katelyn and two dogs.

His other love - soccer - has been abandoned. "As we get older, it gets harder to get everyone out for a game. For me, hobbies are secondary - there are always standby duties (for work) and family to think of first."

Weekends are spent at his grandparents' house with his wife and daughter. "If we're not there then you'll find us at dessert places. Especially (those with) ice cream."

When asked who in the family has a sweet tooth, MAJ Koh said: "I think it's me. But my wife got me hooked in the first place!"


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