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Fini flight trilogy

  • Published
  • By Christi Bird
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  In 26 years of flying, Brig. Gen. Darryl L. Roberson has had the chance to ride four different Air Force steel horses. Until Dec. 7, it had been more than 20 years since Roberson had been in the cockpit of an F-4 Phantom. In 1989, as a captain, Roberson left the F-4 for the F-15 Eagle, a jet he describes as a "supped up F-4." From the F-15, he went on to fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and then ultimately the "Mighty Raptor," the F-22.

With Roberson moving to a staff job at the Pentagon, Tyndall Air Force Base may potentially be his last flying assignment. Since Tyndall houses three of the four jets in his portfolio, Roberson had the rare opportunity to complete three fini flights here Dec. 7, Dec. 9 and Dec. 10.

Roberson's first fini flight was in the F-4, a supersonic fighter jet that was used by the Navy, Marine Corps and the Air Force during the Vietnam War.

"In many respects it was like riding a bike," said Roberson. "While the F-4 and the F-15 are very similar, there are some differences. When I lifted off of the ground, I realized that the nose of the F-4 is much more sensitive and I had to get used to that."

From the F-4, Roberson flew the "Mighty Eagle," the F-15.

"This jet is special to me because it's the one I went to combat with," said Roberson. "I have 2,035 total flying hours, 366 combat hours and 92 missions in this jet."

As a general officer, Roberson could have flown a typical non-mission oriented fini flight, but his F-15 fini flight was used to support an F-22 mission. "I chose this type of flight because my philosophy is to contribute to the mission and the mission at Tyndall is to train pilots," said Roberson.

In his F-22 fini flight, Roberson actually instructed a student.

"Since this could be my last flying assignment, I wanted to finish as an instructor," said Roberson. "I wanted to pass on what I've learned in my 26 years of flying."

Lt. Col. Scott D. Crogg was the student Roberson instructed.

"I felt so privileged to have been the student in the general's fini flight. He brings so much knowledge to the table. I think it's awesome that he chose to use his final flight to instruct," said Crogg.

Roberson leaves Friday for his new job at the Pentagon. When asked if he wanted to fly the P-51 in order to round out flying all of the aircraft in the U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight he said that was something he would definitely do before he dies.

"Flying is something that is in my blood," said Roberson. "I will fly until I can't fly anymore."