Robyn Graduates and Heads to Texas with J Alex

Robyn graduated from undergraduate pilot school on 24th of October.
Two classes graduate each time, one of T-38 pilots headed for fighter/
bomber training and one of T-1 pilots heading for oher assignments
with tankers,cargoes, etc. Sometimes a pilot is asked to return as an
instructor pilot to Coilumbus AFB as both J Alex an Robyn were. They
will get their plane assignments after their 4 year tour of duty as
IPs at Columbus AFB. At graduation, the new pilot is awarded his or
her wings, there is a Breaking of the Wings ceremony at the Wing
Headquarters, and that evening a banquet.

Robyn's 4 parents and brother and his wife attended to witness
Robyn's graduation and the pinning on of wings. Then the announcement
came that Robyn was awarded the Distinguished Graduate of Pilot
Training; she was first in her class of T-1 students. That evening at
the banquet, Robyn won another award for Best of Academics.
Graduating top in her class is a pretty amazing achievement. Super
congratulations to you Robyn.

But another "award" gave Robyn and J Alex even more excitement. A
pilot had to opt out of Pilot Instructor Training at San Antonio
which of course is where J Alex is assigned. They asked the next
pilot in line but he already had things arranged and booked for later
and had to decline. So they asked Robyn, "Could you leave Monday for
PIT?" Yes, of course. How great she and J Alex will be there
together. So today they are packing Robyn for her move to San
Antonio. The PIT TDY assignment, a temporary duty assignment is for 6
months and is not change of station which means they will keep their
house in Columbus.

Robyn & J Alex Next 3 years

I hope everyone is having a great weekend! It has been quite the busy
time for J and I. J has graduated pilot training and I will be
graduating on October 24th (only 2 weeks, YAY!). With us finishing up
pilot training we have finally found out what our next assignment
will be.

As of last night it is official that J and I will be staying in
Columbus, Mississippi for 3 more years. J is going to be a T-6 FAIP
and I will be a T-1 FAIP.

A FAIP is a First Assignment Instructor Pilot. Basically, J and I
will go to San Antonio, TX for about 4 months of training to learn
how to become instructor pilots. The T-6 is the initial aircraft that
students fly in pilot training and then the T-1 is the cargo/heavy
follow-on aircraft.

We will be instructors for 3 years and then after that we will go on
to fly a different aircraft. We are excited for the chance to be
instructors and for the fact that we know we will be together for at
least 3 years!

Also, to celebrate living in Mississippi we bought a house. We moved
in a few weeks ago and are thoroughly enjoying house projects and
making it our own. We have a guest room so company is always welcome!
We're getting to know a lot more about the South so we can almost be
a tour guide!

Our new address is:
72 N Butternut Drive
Columbus, MS 39705

Our phone numbers will stay the same:
home phone: 503-922-2576
Robyn cell: 541-760-7068
J cell: 503-593-1881

Hopefully, now that we are winding down with training we should have
more free time to stay in touch with people more. We'd love to hear
from you!

~Robyn