There is a tradition in the Air Force that when you leave a flying assignment, you get a Fini or final flight. At the end of the flight, there are usually family and colleagues gathered around to wish you "Bon Voyage" and best wishes in the next part of your journey.
Shawn has had several of these flights in his career, but today's flight was different. Because today was the final Fini flight. The skies were cloudy. Thunderstorms threatened all day. But in the end, the he was able to do several touch-and-go's before his best landing of the day (according to the Boom operator, who always tells the truth about such things). And then it was done.
Shawn has been flying for 16 of his 24 years in the Air Force. From now on, he'll just "fly" a desk. Today was a day of many emotions. And in the end, we could all say, "It was good."
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| Greeted by the Fire Trucks |
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| Deb marshaling Shawn in to his parking place |
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| One last look... |
One last wave...
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| Three fire extinguishers and a cooler full of ice water... refreshing! |
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| Add in some sparkling cider for good measure... |
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| "I surrender!" |
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| The wife, the secretary & the superintendent gang up on the boss! |
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| What a good sport! |
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| Congratulations all around |
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| Cold and wet! |
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| Thanks to all who came out for Shawn's special day! |
