Tyndall commander completes ‘fini-flight’ // video, photo gallery

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE — In 20 years in the Air Force, Col. David Graff has spent more than 2,000 hours in the cockpits of various fighter jets. On Thursday, he spent his final 40 minutes in an official capacity in the cockpit of a T-38.

Graff, the commander of the 325th Fighter Wing at Tyndall Air Force Base, will officially retire next week, but he made his final flight — or, as the airmen say, his fini-flight — Thursday morning. He and his co-pilot flew east along the coast toward Eglin Air Force Base and out over the Gulf of Mexico.

“How fitting to fly up the coast and over Panama City and down towards Eglin and just see the great presence the military has here,” Graff said.

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On his return he was greeted by lines of airmen and his wife and children, who seemed to delight in soaking Graff with water and Champagne as he climbed down from the plane. This was the second stint at Tyndall for Graff and wife, Jamee.

“What’s phenomenal is Jamee and I started here flying F-15s back in ‘95, and to finish a career and finish a command with some of the best airmen is unbelievable,” Graff said.

Graff officially will retire after a change of command ceremony next week. He and his family plan to stay in Bay County, he said.

“We’re working in the community, so it’ll be great,” Graff said.