Previous Delaware Air Guard wing commander to celebrate "Fini Flight" today Friday October 5

  • Published
  • By 011012
NEW CASTLE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Delaware --  Today the Delaware Air National Guard will celebrate the "Fini Flight" of Col. Jonathan H. Groff, the past commander of the 166th Airlift Wing.

Colonel Groff's final flight aboard a C-130H model Hercules transport aircraft culminates a distinguished flying career that began in 1980 and has accumulated over 6,000 flying hours at home and abroad on numerous peacetime humanitarian relief missions as well as combat missions from Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, to the Balkans conflict, to Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Take off time is scheduled at or around lunchtime with a flight time of about 30 minutes. Base members are welcome to join current 166th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Mike Feeley to be a part of the aviation tradition of "hosing" Col. Groff down on the ramp using a firefighter tanker truck following his flight when he departs the aircraft.

News media are welcome to attend, but should arrive no later than 11:30 a.m.

If attending, please call ahead to Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Matwey, Public Affairs specialist, cell 302-593-2126. Must enter New Castle ANG Base via the main gate, 2600 Spruance Drive, New Castle, Del. 19720. News media representatives must bring valid photo identification.

A high-resolution downloadable image of Col. Groff is available online: http://www.166aw.ang.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/080824-F-9878S-003.j
pg


- 30 -