Water arc

U.S. Air Force Col. Derek Oaks, 23d Fighter Group commander, taxis an A-10C Thunderbolt II under a traditional arc of water Aug. 3, 2015, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Taxiing under 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 Airman 1st Class Kathleen D. Bryant/Released)

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Pre-flight inspection

U.S. Air Force Col. Derek Oaks, 23d Fighter Group commander, performs a pre-flight inspection on an A-10C Thunderbolt II Aug. 3, 2015, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Oaks conducted his final flight in the A-10 before his retirement from the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kathleen D. Bryant/Released)

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Preparing to fly

U.S. Air Force Col. Derek Oaks, 23d Fighter Group commander, prepares for his final flight in an A-10C Thunderbolt II Aug. 3, 2015, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Oaks, a command pilot, has flown over 4,400 hours throughout his career. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kathleen D. Bryant/Released)

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Sweet moment

U.S. Air Force Col. Derek Oaks, 23d Fighter Group commander, and his wife, Preot, share a moment after his final flight Aug. 3, 2015, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Oaks logged over 4,400 flight hours in C-130 Hercules, C-17A Globemaster III and A-10A/C Thunderbolt II aircraft before retiring Aug. 4, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kathleen D. Bryant/Released)

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Congratulations

Airmen from the 23d Fighter Group congratulate U.S. Air Force Col. Derek Oaks, 23d FG commander, after his final flight Aug. 3, 2015, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Oaks directed the largest A-10C Thunderbolt II operational fighter group consisting of the 74th and 75th Fighter Squadrons and the 23d Operations Support Squadron for two years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kathleen D. Bryant/Released)

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Celebration

Emma, Laine and Raili Oaks, daughters of U.S. Air Force Col. Derek Oaks, 23d Fighter Group commander, hose down their dad after his final flight Aug. 3, 2015, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Oaks retired after 24 years of service on Aug. 4, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kathleen D. Bryant/Released)

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23d FG commander bids farewell

Published Aug. 4, 2015

Water arc

Pre-flight inspection

Preparing to fly

Sweet moment

Congratulations

Celebration