Colonel Pemberton completes 'fini flight'

Col. Thom Pemberton, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander, wipes the water off of his head after being drenched following his last flight on March 21,2023. As part of tradition, aircrew are often doused with water following their final flight. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jami Lancette)

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Colonel Pemberton completes 'fini flight'

Katherine Schink, daughter of Col. Thom Pemberton, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander, ceremoniously marshals her father into his parking spot following his last flight on March 21, 2023. Pemberton is scheduled to retire in May following 38 years of military service. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jami Lancette)

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Colonel Pemberton completes 'fini flight'

Col. Thom Pemberton, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander, gets a hug from grandson Liam following his ‘fini flight’ at Grissom March 21, 2023. Friends, family, unit members and co-workers were all on hand to celebrate the colonel’s last flight before retirement in May. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jami Lancette)

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Colonel Pemberton completes 'fini flight'

Col. Thom Pemberton, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander, gets a big hug from his wife Dawn following his final flight at Grissom March 21, 2023. Pemberton is scheduled to retire in May following 38 years of military service. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jami Lancette)

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Colonel Pemberton completes 'fini flight'

Col. Thom Pemberton, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander flies over well-wishers that gathered to celebrate his final flight in a KC-135R Stratotanker March 21, 2023. Pemberton is slated to retire in May following 38 years of military service. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jami Lancette)

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Colonel Pemberton completes final flight

Col. Thom Pemberton, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander, helps his grandson Liam spray water following his ‘fini flight’ at Grissom March 21, 2023. Friends, family, unit members and co-workers were all on hand to celebrate the colonel’s last flight before retirement in May. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jami Lancette)

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Colonel Pemberton completes final flight

Col. Thom Pemberton, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander, and his wife Dawn are all smiles following his final flight at Grissom March 21, 2023. Pemberton is scheduled to retire in May following 38 years of military service. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jami Lancette)

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Colonel Pemberton completes 'fini flight'

Published March 22, 2023
By By Douglas Hays
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --

Col. Thom Pemberton, 434^th Air Refueling Wing commander climbed from the cockpit of his KC-135 Stratotanker for the last time March 21, 2023, and was bombarded by a wall of water.

The dousing of water is a long-standing Air Force tradition for aircrew members making their final flight.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker Air Force Reserve Command. The Citizen Airmen from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.

Colonel Pemberton completes 'fini flight'

Colonel Pemberton completes 'fini flight'

Colonel Pemberton completes 'fini flight'

Colonel Pemberton completes 'fini flight'

Colonel Pemberton completes 'fini flight'

Colonel Pemberton completes final flight

Colonel Pemberton completes final flight