Wolf 50’s final flight

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Col. John Dolan, 8th Fighter Wing commander, gets hosed down with water from the fire truck after his fini flight here May 12. A fini flight is symbolic of a pilot's final flight with a particular squadron or aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brittany Y. Bateman)

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KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Col. John Dolan, 8th Fighter Wing commander, powers down his F-16 Fighting Falcon after his fini flight here May 12. This time honored tradition calls for a celebratory event where fire trucks join the crowd in welcoming the pilot back and hose him down with water. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brittany Y. Bateman)

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Wolf 50’s final flight

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Col. John Dolan, 8th Fighter Wing commander, taxies his F-16 Fighting Falcon on the flightline as fire trucks from the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron, spray water across the jet during his fini flight here May 12. The fini-flight is a long standing practice of both the United States and Royal Australian Air Forces to commemorate a commander’s departure from an installation. Colonel Dolan was known as Wolf 50. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brittany Y. Bateman)

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Wolf 50's final flight

Published May 12, 2011
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Col. John Dolan, 8th Fighter Wing commander, celebrated his departure from Kunsan Air Base, Korea, with a "fini flight" here May 12.

Wolf Pack members from all over base came out to join "Wolf 50" for this time-honored tradition of the U.S. Air Force. The "fini flight" commemorate a commander's departure from an installation by having a celebratory event where fire trucks join the crowd in welcoming the commander back after he pilots a plane by hosing him down with the water.

The Royal Australian Air Forces also carries on this tradition.

Wolf 50’s final flight

Wolf 50’s final flight