Ending an era: Col Paul Sheets’ final flight with the 23 WG

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Sheets, 23rd Wing commander, conducts air-to-air refueling in an HH-60W Jolly Green II with the help of 71st Rescue Squadron aircrew aboard an HC-130J Combat King II at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, July 29, 2025. Sheets conducted his final flight, or “fini flight,” as commander of the 23rd Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Savannah Carpenter)

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Ending an era: Col Paul Sheets’ final flight with the 23 WG

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Sheets, 23rd Wing commander, transits to an HH-60W Jolly Green II for his final flight with the 23rd Wing at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, July 29, 2025. Final flights, or “fini flights,” serve as a ceremonial conclusion to a commander’s tenure, symbolizing the completion of their leadership and dedication to the unit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Savannah Carpenter)

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Ending an era: Col Paul Sheets’ final flight with the 23 WG

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Sheets, 23rd Wing commander, departs the flight line aboard an HH-60W Jolly Green II at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, July 29, 2025. During the flight, Sheets completed his final mission with the 23rd Wing, marking the end of his distinguished leadership. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Savannah Carpenter)

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Ending an era: Col Paul Sheets’ final flight with the 23 WG

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Sheets, 23rd Wing commander, pilots an HH-60W Jolly Green II over Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, July 29, 2025. The operation was part of Sheets final flight with the 23rd Wing, which included a simulated 15-line close air support mission in a nearby military operations area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Savannah Carpenter)

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Ending an era: Col Paul Sheets’ final flight with the 23 WG

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Sheets, 23rd Wing commander, lands an HH-60W Jolly Green II on the Grand Bay Drop Zone at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, July 29, 2025. Pararescuemen assigned to the 38th Rescue Squadron exited the helicopter to conduct Tactical Combat Casualty Care to a simulated patient. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Savannah Carpenter)

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Ending an era: Col Paul Sheets’ final flight with the 23 WG

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Sheets, 23rd Wing commander, departs in an HH-60W Jolly Green II from Grand Bay Drop Zone at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, July 29, 2025. As part of Col. Sheets’ final flight with the 23rd Wing, pararescuemen assigned to the 38th Rescue Squadron conducted a training scenario. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Savannah Carpenter)

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Ending an era: Col Paul Sheets’ final flight with the 23 WG

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Sheets, 23rd Wing commander, lands an HH-60W Jolly Green II on the Grand Bay Drop Zone at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, July 29, 2025. After the helicopter landed and offloaded pararescuemen from the 38th Rescue Squadron, the team performed Tactical Combat Casualty Care on a simulated patient before loading them back onto the aircraft for evacuation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Savannah Carpenter)

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Ending an era: Col Paul Sheets’ final flight with the 23 WG

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Sheets, 23rd Wing commander, lands an HH-60W Jolly Green II on the Grand Bay Drop Zone at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, July 29, 2025. After offloading personnel at the drop zone, pararescuemen from the 38th Rescue Squadron performed Tactical Combat Casualty Care on a simulated patient while HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters provided cover fire over the range. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Savannah Carpenter)

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Ending an era: Col Paul Sheets’ final flight with the 23 WG

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Sheets, 23rd Wing commander, conducts his final flight aboard an HH-60W Jolly Green II over Grand Bay Drop Zone at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, July 29, 2025. The helicopters fired their miniguns in formation as part of a coordinated air-to-ground training mission that included close air support, aerial refueling, and personnel recovery operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Savannah Carpenter)

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Ending an era: Col Paul Sheets’ final flight with the 23 WG

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Sheets, 23rd Wing Commander, lands an HH-60W Jolly Green II as part of his final flight with the 23rd Wing at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, July 29, 2025. The integrated training mission included a 15-line close air support scenario with A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft, helicopter air-to-air refueling, and simulated casualty care by 38th Rescue Squadron pararescuemen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Savannah Carpenter)

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Ending an era: Col Paul Sheets’ final flight with the 23 WG

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Sheets, 23rd Wing commander, returns to the flight line aboard an HH-60W Jolly Green II at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, July 29, 2025. During his final flight with the 23rd Wing, Sheets transported the crew to Grand Bay Drop Zone to conduct live-fire training for special missions aviators. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Savannah Carpenter)

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Ending an era: Col Paul Sheets’ final flight with the 23 WG

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 38th Rescue Squadron load a simulated patient into an HH-60W Jolly Green II piloted by Col. Paul Sheets, 23rd Wing commander, at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, July 29, 2025. The training scenario was part of Sheets’ final flight with the 23rd Wing, where pararescuemen performed Tactical Combat Casualty Care on a simulated patient before evacuation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Savannah Carpenter)

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Ending an era: Col Paul Sheets’ final flight with the 23 WG

Published Aug. 7, 2025
By Airman 1st Class Savannah Carpenter
23rd Wing Public Affairs

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.--This week, we honored Col. Paul “Gyro” Sheets, 23rd Wing commander at Moody Air Force Base, with his Final Flight -- a time-honored Air Force tradition marking the end of his command. From leading the Flying Tigers with pride to advancing the mission with strength and vision, Col. Sheets leaves a lasting impact on Team Moody and the 23rd Wing.