Spotlight!
35th Fighter Wing commander completes fini-flight at Misawa AB
By
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs June 28, 2022
1st Class Leon Redfern
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs June 28, 2022
U.S. Air Force Col. Jesse J. Friedel, 35th Fighter Wing (FW) commander, gets sprayed with champagne by his daughter after his fini-flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 22, 2022. Family and service members across the 35th FW and from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force attended Friedel’s fini-flight to celebrate and show support before his departure from Misawa. (U.S. Air Force photos by Airman 1st Class Leon Redfern) ()
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Family, friends, and service members across the 35th Fighter Wing and from the Japan Air-Self Defense Force attended the fini-flight for U.S. Air Force Col. Jesse J. Friedel, 35th Fighter Wing commander, to celebrate his time here before his departure from Misawa.
A final flight, or fini-flight, is a USAF tradition, to celebrate one's last flight with their unit, by spraying champagne, making a toast and dowsing water from a fire truck onto the aircraft and aircrew.
Congratulate Col. Friedel, his wife Jennifer and their children as they head off to Fifth Air Force, Yokota Air Base, Japan, where he will hold the position of Deputy Commander.