Last Friday was a very special day. As many of you know, Chris has wanted to be a military pilot for as long as he can remember. He got his private pilot's license in 2005, but the dream of flying a military plane still remained. He became a WSO that same year, and flew in the backseat of the F-15E until July of this year when we made the trip back to the US. The reason we came back is that he got a pilot slot...the first step in accomplishing his life-long goal. Well, last Friday was his first solo flight. He said he sat on the runway before he took off just thinking, "I can't believe this is really happening!"...a dream that started over 25 years ago was coming true!! He did great (of course), and milked that flight for all that it was worth! I think if they had let him, he would have flown all night!
The tradition is that when you complete your first solo flight, you get dunked in your class dunk tank. If you'll recall, the weather conditions on Friday weren't ideal for a casual swim! They initially called off the dunking, but thanks to a very zealous instructor Chris was dunked after all!! Though I was a little paranoid about him catching pneumonia, I know that Chris wouldn't have had it any other way!! I am so very proud of him for what he has accomplished, and I am so excited to be a part of this journey!
Chris's plane...the T-6
Chris looking pretty stoked!
Yes, it was really 20 degrees outside!!
The dunk-tank...completely frozen!
The ice was at least 2 inches thick! They had to break it up before they dunked him!
Chris back at the squadron, about to get dunked!
4 comments:
Way to go, Chris! Very cool!
Very cool!
Congrats, Chris...and all the best to all 3 of you!
Iknow he was so excited but poor chris he must have been freezing!!!! :)
I love this! Congrats Chris. Answered prayer and dream come true!
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