Last flight

An HH-60G Pave Hawk piloted by U.S. Air Force Col. Billy D. Thompson, 23d Wing commander, flies in formation during his final flight at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., June 14, 2013. Thompson is a command pilot with 2,700 flight hours. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarrod Grammel/Released)

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Ready for the flight

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas Gillespie, 41st Rescue Squadron special mission aviator, prepares an HH-60G Pave Hawk for 23d Wing Commander Col. Billy D. Thompson’s final flight at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., June 14, 2013. Thompson’s final flight included rescue scenarios, flight maneuvers and aerial refueling. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarrod Grammel/Released)

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Let’s go!

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. William Blakeney, 38th Rescue Squadron pararescueman, escorts simulated downed aircrew during 23d Wing Commander Col. Billy D. Thompson’s final flight at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., June 14, 2013. The scenario required the pilot to land in a small opening while the pararescuemen retrieved stranded personnel and escorted them safely to the helicopter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarrod Grammel/Released)

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Helicopters in flight

U.S. Air Force Col. Billy D. Thompson, 23d Wing commander, pilots an HH-60G Pave Hawk during his final flight at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., June 14, 2013. The final or “fini” flight is a long-standing Air Force tradition that traces its roots back to the Vietnam War when pilots would commemorate their final combat mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarrod Grammel/Released)

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Refueling

An HH-60G Pave Hawk piloted by U.S. Air Force Col. Billy D. Thompson, 23d Wing commander, performs aerial refueling during Thompson’s final flight at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., June 14, 2013. The HC-130P Combat King flew as part of Thompson’s final flight along with A-10C Thunderbolt IIs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarrod Grammel/Released)

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Hoist

U.S. Air Force Maj. Joseph Barnard, 38th Rescue Squadron commander, uses a hoist to board a hovering HH-60G Pave Hawk piloted by Col. Billy D. Thompson, 23d Wing commander, during Thompson’s final flight at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., June 14, 2013. During Thompson’s final flight, pilots, pararescuemen and special mission aviators completed various training scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarrod Grammel/Released)

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Flying over South Georgia

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brandon Smith, 38th Rescue Squadron pararescueman, looks out the door of an HH-60G Pave Hawk piloted by Col. Billy D. Thompson, 23d Wing commander, during Thompson’s final flight at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., June 14, 2013. A final or “fini” flight is a pilot’s last flight before leaving a squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarrod Grammel/Released)

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Final moments

U.S. Air Force Col. Billy D. Thompson, 23d Wing commander, taxis an HH-60G Pave Hawk under streams of water from fire trucks during his final flight at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., June 14, 2013. Taxiing under the streams of water from fire trucks is a customary event at the end of a pilot’s final flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarrod Grammel/Released)

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Last-time pilot

An HH-60G Pave Hawk door displays the name of U.S. Air Force Col. Billy D. Thompson, 23d Wing commander, after his final flight at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., June 14, 2013. This was Thompson’s last flight at Moody before he moves on to become the Air Force Senate Liaison Office chief at the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarrod Grammel/Released)

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Celebration

Julie Thompson greets her husband, U.S. Air Force Col. Billy D. Thompson, 23d Wing commander, with champagne after his final flight at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., June 14, 2013. After the flight, Thompson’s family sprayed him down with a water hose in celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarrod Grammel/Released)

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Wing commander takes to skies for last time

Published June 18, 2013

Last flight

Ready for the flight

Let’s go!

Helicopters in flight

Refueling

Hoist

Flying over South Georgia

Final moments

Last-time pilot

Celebration