My Son's Last Flight in the A-10

[BillyMagg]

Awesome

Fini Flight, Davis-Monthan AFB, Home of the WartHawg.

He just retired as the Commander of the 47th Fighter Squadron and is retiring from the AF after 4 tours in Afghanistan. There were probably hundreds of photos taken but I took this one right after he taxied in. A fun time was had by all.

Our Son in Law's previous duty assignment was Davis-Monthan AFB, he loved it,, I loved it because of the "Bone Yard",, but no tours then due to covid...

He has been here close to us the last 3 years, my 5 year old grandson and 3 year old grandaughter close by... now they are moving in a few months, and we have no idea where, so I'm already missing them being an hour away... I was an Air Force brat, so I know how it is

Tell the A-10 jockey well done,, a lot of low and slow time in the furnace,, I'd say God has been good to you both,, I'm proud of you both! God Bless, billy

 

[quikdraw67]

I always thought the A-10 was the most beautiful ugly aircraft ever made.

Congrats to your son OP. What a career he must have had. I wish him success in his FedEx career.

 

[Glynn863]

He said he was not going to cry but I'm not sure if he pulled that off.

He did this pic several years ago with the 75th FS (direct descendants of the AVG Flying Tigers).

A lifetime ago, I was a young Maintenance Officer in the 76th TFS, part of the 23rd TFW (Flying Tigers), when it was located at England AFB, LA. The A-10s were painted in Euro-1 paint scheme then. I separated a couple of years before Desert Shield / Desert Storm, but I remember seeing a lot of my former squadron guys on news stories during the conflict. Hard to miss the Tiger mouth.

Congrats to your son.

 

[BillyMagg]

55th

The F-35 is a cluster of compromises. Nothing can do CAS like the A-10, plus they have the same targeting pod as the F-16 and can lase their own targets these days. Thank you for all the kind words that I will pass on the LtC. Tom when I talk with him next. ATTACK !!!

My Son in Law was with the 55th when he was at Davis-Monthan AFB,, A-10's, C-130's with refueling probes, and the HH-60G, also with refueling probe,, and of course the PJ's! He loved his squadron there, they loved him too,, his current assignment has been a dissapointment,, folks are very unmotivated,, so his next assignment is coming by the end of the week,, but I'm gonna miss my Grandbabies, a LOT

 

[BillyMagg]

Yes

A lifetime ago, I was a young Maintenance Officer in the 76th TFS, part of the 23rd TFW (Flying Tigers), when it was located at England AFB, LA. The A-10s were painted in Euro-1 paint scheme then. I separated a couple of years before Desert Shield / Desert Storm, but I remember seeing a lot of my former squadron guys on news stories during the conflict. Hard to miss the Tiger mouth.

Congrats to your son.

We do have some great people in USAF,, they were my home away from home when I was a kid, my Dad was an IP in the C-130E and moved to Little Rock with the 130 school house from Sewart AFB, TN

My son in law just made Tech SGT this past year,, only 13% of eligible airman made Tech Sgt this past year.. I'm very proud of him, he works hard, and takes great care of my Daughter and my Grandson and Grandaughter

 

[rbrbrb6]

Tell him he as done good! I have three kids who fly for the A/F, all in different frames. Daughter in law flys Osprey for Spec Ops, her husband my son flys MC130J for Spec Ops and the Son in law flys Pavehawk for the Para Rescue jumpers. They all have time "over there" and are within 4 years of being able to retire. It has been a good life for all of them.

 

[Retired W4]

Here is one more picture from the gathering. I didn't know he had that many friends.

 

[vt_shooter]

When he retires, does he get to keep his service gun? Where can one find a holster for a 30mm gun?

Never mess with a guy that carries a GAU-8 concealed IWB.

 

[jpage]

Did He get to shoot the gun one last time ?

 

[Retired W4]

Did He get to shoot the gun one last time ?

No range time. I know he wanted to pull that trigger though.
Photo from his 75th FS days