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NCO dives into retirement

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  A now retired Air Force master sergeant held his retirement ceremony approximately 70 feet underwater July 25.

Master Sgt. William Brown, former 95th Aircraft Maintenance Unit tactical aircraft maintenance section flight chief, wanted to add a new twist to an "old" theme.

"I have been diving since 2011 and everyone I know has re-enlisted under water so I wanted to do something different," Brown said. "I wanted to retire under water."

Brown mentioned to the Tyndall Dive Flight that he wanted to retire under water. The members of the dive flight were excited and pledged to make it happen.

When retirement day rolled around everything was ready. Four boats, 18 divers, a dry-erase board with a permanently written Order of Retirement and the soon-to-be retired Airman himself were all in place.

Diving to support their dad, Arthur Hamblin and Dustin Brown helped out during the ceremony. Brown's wife Tina also took to the water to pin on his retirement pin.

Once they surfaced the ceremony was finished.

"The ceremony was great," said wet and happy Brown. "I can't believe we had all those people and boats. I was actually retiring underwater. It was an emotional time and a moment I will never forget.

"I couldn't have done this without the help of the Tyndall Dive Flight and everybody who helped plan and execute this," Brown said.