‘Warbird 1’ takes final flight

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. – Col. Eldon Woodie, 5th Bomb Wing commander, gets hosed down by his wife, Bonnie, after his final flight as an Air Force pilot May 7. Upon completion of a crew member’s 'fini-flight,' it is Air Force tradition to be drenched with water upon landing by family members and fellow Airmen before being toasted with champagne. A command pilot with more than 4,700 hours, Colonel Woodie retires from the Air Force in June after 26 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Boitz)

‘Warbird 1’ takes final flight

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. – The drag chute of a B-52H Stratofortress deploys as Col. Eldon Woodie, 5th Bomb Wing commander, lands here for the last time as an Air Force pilot May 7. A crew member’s ‘fini-flight’ is a cherished Air Force tradition. A command pilot with more than 4,700 hours, Colonel Woodie retires from the Air Force in June after 26 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Boitz)

'Warbird 1' takes final flight

Published May 9, 2007
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The 5th Bomb Wing commander flew his final flight in the Air Force here May 7.

Taking part in an Air Force tradition known as a 'fini-flight,' Col. Eldon Woodie landed at 5:30 p.m. following a five-hour B-52 mission.

Approximately 100 members of the base community, including 91st Space Wing Commander Col. Marty Whelan and Colonel Woodie's wife and daughter, gathered to watch Colonel Woodie end his Air Force flying career.

"A true fini-flight is when you're done," said Lt. Col. Bob Dreyfus, 5th BW director of staff, "when you will no longer fly again."

Upon landing, the B-52H Stratofortress was doused with water by two base fire trucks. A third fire truck stood ready to provide the water Colonel Woodie's wife Bonnie used to drench him with.

In proper fini-flight tradition, Mrs. Woodie promptly hosed the wing commander down when he stepped off the aircraft. Right after that, the maintenance and mission support group commanders 'toasted' Colonel Woodie with champagne by pouring two bottles of the bubbly over his head. Almost in unison, several chief master sergeants doused him with fire extinguishers filled with water.

"It was great," said Colonel Woodie, completely drenched as he received handshakes and hugs from well-wishers. "I couldn't have asked for better North Dakota weather or better people to share this special moment with."

A command pilot with more than 4,700 hours in B-52H, B-1B and T-37 aircraft, Colonel Woodie retires from the Air Force in June after 26 years of service.