Fini Flight

Retiree News photographs Leroy "Stringer" Perry completed his fini flight on April 30, 1997. Stringer flew F-102 Delta Daggers, F-4D Phantoms and F-15 Eagles with the 199th Fighter Squadron. As usual, there were many Hawaii Air National Guard members and...

Retiree News has learned of the passing of Joseph “Primo Joe” Ah New. He passed away on October 14, 2021.  Primo Joe served with the 199th Fighter Squadron, flying F-102 Delta Daggers and F-4C Phantoms. He retired as a lieutenant colonel...

Braden “Mongo” Sakai, Christopher “Frenchy” Faurot Christopher “Sock” Sakamoto Suzy Churchill #4 - General John G. Lorber, the Pacific Air Forces commander, congratulates Church. Kurt Johnson and Kenneth “Dusty” Sussel in the background Michael “Boss” Tice, Clinton Churchill, Geoffrey “Thunder" Avery, Robert...

Off the Hawaii Air National Guard Facebook page Hawaii Air National Guard photograph "Get a spray on your last day" should be the motto for the Air Force tradition known as the 'Fini Flight', and here Lt. Col. Brian "Mute" Nash is...

Hawaii Air National Guard photographs Gregory B. Gardner flew F-4C Phantoms with the 199th Fighter Squadron from November 1978 through December 1982. He served as a instructor pilot in the later years of his assignment. The squadron named Greg the Outstanding...

Hawaii Air National Guard photograph Retiree News asked Joseph "Primo Joe" Ah New for comments on these photographs. His comments: This was my final flight and it was on drill Saturday, July 7, 1984, I had just brought a 4-ship...

These undated photographs show George Joy, James Ashford, Siegfried “Ziggy” Azevedo, and Jose “Rivah” Rivera. It was George’s “Fini” flight and probably happened in 1977. George was one of several 199th Fighter Squadron pilots who did not crosstrain to the F-4 Phantoms. According to...

Lt Col Kenneth “Dusty” Sussel had his “Fini Flight” on December 31, 2006. The Fini Flight is a tradition for pilots that originated during the Vietnam era (more below).  Personal photograph - used with permission Lt Col Kenneth “Dusty” Sussel had his “Fini Flight”...

Off the Hawaii Air National Guard Facebook page Hawaii Air National Guard Photograph After 33 years of service and more than 7,100 hours of flight time, Brig. Gen. Gregory S. Woodrow took his final flight as commander of the 154th...

Col Kurt Johnson was a key member of the 199th Fighter Squadron and the Hawaii Air National Guard. He was a Korean War veteran, flying F-86 Sabres. In the HIANG, he flew F-86s, F-102 Delta Daggers, and F-4C Phantoms. His...