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It's over...out 25 years later

GrabberOrange69

GrabberOrange69

Troglodyte
Well I've done it. 25 years after I joined the Air Force, I retired. It was time. I gave up my command of 2 years, then retired a few hours later today.

I've had a ball. I've been blessed to do some pretty cool stuff, the stuff some dreams are made of. I started out as a slick sleeve Airman working on jets, got commissioned, then moved to fly the F-16, and finally ended up flying the Reaper and commanding an awesome squadron.

I've seen the northern lights...watched the Iditarod...stood at ground zero in Hiroshima...walked on the DMZ in Korea...seen Tianan men square, and walked on the Great Wall in China...flew across the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans in a single engine jet as pilot in command...been at 9Gs and busted the Mach many times...walked on the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates river, the birthplace of civilization...seen the pyramids of Egypt...and the Rock of Gibraltar...flown on every continent (except Australia) as pilot in command...been shot at, but survived...
ViperoverIraq.jpg


buried some good friends...and had the almighty privilege of "putting boot to ass" on behalf of National Command Authority...

77374810001_1456407097001_usaf-air-strike.jpg


I know I'm going to miss it, but it was time. Being an airman/soldier/sailor/marine is a young, young man's game. Eventually, your body says "you can't keep up" with those 20 year olds. Hell, you could be his daddy.

It was extraordinary. I wouldn't trade it for anything!
 
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Bryan,

Awesome dude. I have heard your story before and I am still impressed. As an Airman sitting in the cockpit of an F-4E (on the tarmac ) I could only imagine what is was like to fly one of those machines. I do envy you, just not the part about being shot at. :guns Thanks for your service and look forward to seeing your Shelby this weekend.

fd
 
I started out as a slick sleeve Airman working on jets, got commissioned,
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In the Navy, someone who does that is called a Mustang. You're a Mustang! And you retired on April 17 as well!
 
Enjoy your retirement, you have earned it!

Thank you for the years of service.
 
Congratulations for your service and committment. You have lived the experiances that most of us have only dreamed about, I cannot begin to imagine the rush sitting in a f15 awaiting take off--I get a rush taking off in my buddies 150 cessna! lol. I am sure you are proud of your achievements (as you should be) and I am gratefull we have people like you serving in our armed forces. Now how about a post in old farts about visiting some of the foreign countrys on leave ----
 
"Midlife" said:
In the Navy, someone who does that is called a Mustang. You're a Mustang! And you retired on April 17 as well!
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Yep - that was no accident (the 17th). I looked at the calendar 6 months ago and thought it was a good fit!
 
Congrats on the retirement. Wow, this year would have been 25 years for me as well had I stayed in. Thanks for your service!
 
"Fast68back" said:
Wow, this year would have been 25 years for me as well had I stayed in.
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Don't ask, don't tell policy got you huh?
 
Congrats on a well rounded career. Retirement from the USAF is great.....I did it 21 years ago.
 
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