USMCFLYR,

Congrats Amigo!

Thanks for sharing your final flight and your thoughts. Awesome debrief!

Congratulations on 20 years of flying, serving, and defending our country. I salute you.

I wish you the best as you begin a new chapter in your life.

I know how you're feeling. I did my last flight in a Super at Lemoore two years ago, December...this month. Like you, 20 years of flying fighters (USN). It is a bittersweet feeling.

A wise man once said:

"A Fighter Pilot's career will end in one of two ways...

The first way a fighter pilot ends his career is that he will walk to his fighter jet KNOWING that today is his final flight in a fighter and he will never fly a fighter again...

The second way a fighter pilot ends his career is that he will walk to his fighter aircraft and NOT KNOW that this is his final flight in a fighter and he will never fly a fighter again."

"Well done" on finishing your career in the former and not latter category.

Congrats again and best of luck as you open a new chapter in your life.

NOTE: I am not sure how to "bump" this thread to the "military" section but I STRGONLY recommend someone do this. USMCFLYR you should let the rest of the military bro's who read this forum add their wishes. I almost missed reading your great post because it was in "hangar talk" and not in the "military" section.

Cheers,
ImTumbleweed
"Afterburner is a great substitute for poor headwork"

Congrats USMCFLYR.

Had no idea that you'd been flying that long. That's one helluva run. Based on the content of all your post here on APC and kinda getting an idea of the type of person you are, your transition no doubt will be seemless and successful.

All the best!

HOOAH!;)




atp

Congrats and good luck on your next move!

Wetting down
 

Again - thanks to all of those sharing congratulations.
Of course during this holiday period it hasn't yet sunk in; it just feels like one of those rare leave periods.:)
Here is one of the pictures that I thought I would share with APC.
A fine tradition....and one that is nearly impossible to escape!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/...155eddb8_o.jpg
Video to come once I figure it out :o

USMCFLYR

Good for you USMCFLYR. Congrats as well :)

Section Approach
 

This was the first approach that my wingman and I made. The weather did not allow for the standard overhead for the carrier break. I shouldn't complain. The weather had been so foggy all week that I was afraid that I wouldn't get the flight out at all. It isn't the usual way to end the flying career - but it has it's own appeal ;)

http://www.flickr.com/photo_embed.gne?id=4212255984

Final landing
 

After the section approach (sorry about the ending of that clip), I did a touch-n-go and my wingman full-stopped. I went around the pattern a few times and this was my final approach to landing. I thought my squadronmate's comment at the end of the clip said it all:
"That's it" :(

http://www.flickr.com/photo_embed.gne?id=4211495887

USMCFLYR,

Congratulations on a successful career flying fighters. Deeds such as that were seldom seen in the past and undoubtedly will be rare in the future. As well, as has been said before, Thanks for your service and dedication in keeping this country safe.

Next time around, I'm going Navel Air, because the Air Force doesn't allow single seat fighters to do touch-and-go's. No, no, never mind. I just remembered I like waking up in a bunk that will be in the same geographical location as it was when I went to sleep.;)

Again, Congratulations.....Bravo Zulu......Sierra Hotel..

JJ

Congratulations! Awesome work.

Does this mean that you'll be posting on APC twice as much now? :cool:

Thanks. Twice as much? If I don't get a job I might as well take this place over because "I've got no where else to go!" >insert Lou Gossett Jr. standing over me here< :o

USMCFLYR