Lt Col Mansfield gets "fini" flight

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MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  This flight marked the end to a 27 year military flying career for Lt Col Michael Mansfield. Retiring on 31 May 2009 as the 63rd Air Refueling Squadron Commander, this was his "final flight" piloting a KC-135.  The mission was to refuel a C-17 out of Charleston AFB, SC who were practicing multiple aerial refueling connections.  It was a beautiful day for flying and the mission went well in spite of one real world breakaway incident.  A breakaway is when the boom operator judges that the two aircraft are too close, he gives the call, "Breakaway, Breakaway!" to the pilots.  The KC-135 pilots respond by taking the aircraft 1,000 ft straight up, the pilots on the aircraft being refueled take their aircraft straight down 1,000 ft.  Col Mansfield responded with prompt and precise operating procedures to escape a potentially fatal accident for aircraft and crew.  Upon safe arrival back to MacDill, Col Mansfield was greeted off of the aircraft with the traditional final flight welcome, being drenched with champagne and hosed with water, amongst cheers from his squadron personnel .  It was a great way to end the day, and a great ending to Col Mansfield's Air Force career.  

Lt Col Michael Mansfield received his commission on 27 May, 1981 at the Air Force Academy.  He retired 31 May, 2009.  Col Mansfield began his flying career in 1982 with KC-135 missions out of Beale AFB, CA refueling SR-71 aircraft.  He continued to fly KC-135's at Loring AFB 1987-1988, Mather AFB 1989-1994, Grissom ARB 1994-2004, Selfridge ANGB 2004-2008, and MacDill 2008-2009.  When asked what he enjoyed most about flying his response was, "The crew. A dynamic group of guys who were fun, sharp, and had lots of personality."  Mansfield's plans for retirement include coaching his 3 kids in basketball and baseball along with spending more time with his wife whom he attributes to "being the glue of the family".