J Alex' is Asked to Return as Instructor Pilot to Columbus AFB

J Alex received his first operational assignment August 1st.

Assignment night begins with Happy Hour before the ceremony begins in
the ballroom. The guys wait at the side of the room before coming up
front one at a time.

Each airman is roasted (much kidding about J's name), and then his
assignment is flashed on the screen. J Alex sees the screen that
announces his assignment as a FAIP, First Assignment Instructor
Pilot. He has been asked to return to Columbus AFB as an instructor
to train new students in the T-6 trainer aircraft.

Then the squadron leaders present J Alex with a special ribbon for
the new instructor pilot to welcome him on board. They, of course,
have special interest in the assignments of the students.

It is bittersweet to have a new assignment and then have to part with
one's best friend and co-pilot. Chad is a heck of a nice guy and a
remarkable success story. He worked his way up through the enlisted
ranks, engineering school, family life, commissioning, and finally to
receive his pilot training and wings. He is assigned back to Florida
and his Reserve Unit.

Afterwords there is much celebration and discussion of the assignments among the students. Then the students head for a party arranged downtown.

J Alex will serve 4 years as an IP giving him a rich opportunity to accumulate the much coveted flying hours pilots need for advancement. Robyn almost certainly will also receive an instructor assignment at Columbus.

The fun part is they can begin immediate house hunting.