Fini flight and farewell

When leaving a flying squadron, it's tradition that you have what's called a "fini flight". With our squadron headed out for a deployment soon, Eric wanted to make sure he had a fini flight with them before it was too late. I had been running behind schedule since in the middle of getting ready I got a phone call about someone wanting to come see the house to rent, but we made it to the base in time. During a fini flight, you go out and watch the pilot land, get out of his jet, be tackled and taped up by the other pilots and then get sprayed down. It's a rite of passage and just part of the game :) Anyway, I prepped the girls once again since last time when we left Hill they were traumatized by "Daddy's friends tackling him and not being nice". I explained once again that his friends were just going to be silly and that Daddy would be fine. Emily was all excited and wanted to wear her flight suit to school. I picked up the girls and headed to the flight line... without our coats :(

The girls always have fun when we go up to Daddy's work.

It was a bit chilly, so our neighbor that came with us let the girls borrow his coat while we waited since there was another guy besides Eric doing his fini flight as well.

Daddy pulling in with his jet.

He's been tackled, let the spraying begin.

Don't worry, I hid his other flight suit so he would have a dry one to put on.

Eric with our neighbor, Steve.

Family photo. We were a bit cold by this time and didn't want a wet boy standing too close to us :)

Later that afternoon, we had our farewell. During that time, they presented the squadron with a painting (done by one of the wives in the squadron) of Captain Nicholas Giglio. It will hang on the wall in the squadron. I think it turned out great.

A farewell is always bittersweet. Both squadrons we've left have been preparing for a deployment just as we've left making it even more bittersweet. I know Eric wishes he could be heading out with his fellow Gamblers, but since we're moving not long after the deployment begins, it just didn't make sense to go for even a short time. We know the Gamblers will do great things! Double Down!

A few of the Gambler gals! Great group of ladies.