482nd Fighter Wing vice commander retires after 30 years of service

  • Published
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  After more than 30 years of military service, Col. David Davis, 482nd Fighter Wing vice commander, retired Jan. 11.

The ceremony was presided over by Col. Donald Lindberg, 10th Air Force vice commander, and Col. Chris Funk, 482nd FW commander. Many community leaders attended the ceremony, including Florida Congressman Joe Garcia, 26th District, and Dr. Larry Feldman, Board Member, District 9 for Miami-Dade County Schools. Davis' wife, Cindi, family, and many distinguished military members were also in attendance.

During the ceremony, Lindberg described Davis as being a natural athlete, leader, aviator, parent and husband.

"When you do retirements and you get people that come from all over who fill up the venue, you know it's something special," said Lindberg during the ceremony. "This retirement is about family. Col. Davis and Cindi were right there with me to deal with issues that popped up as a team, and I couldn't have done that without them."

Lindberg then presented Davis with the Legion of Merit for distinguished service, including overseeing more than 8,700 flying missions in support of multiple exercises and operations. Additionally, he paved the way for Helmet Mounted Integrated Targeting and computer display unit upgrades on F-16 deployable aircraft assigned to the 482nd FW.

After receiving his decoration, Funk spoke of three things Davis' kids said define their memories of their father.

"Love for his wife, love for his children, and respect for his friends and co-workers," said Funk. "To me, that's mission and people. That's what has defined my short time with Col. Davis. He knows pretty much every one of you in this wing, or Cindi does, and they care about each and every one of you."

Funk published Davis' retirement order and officially retired the combat pilot veteran. Cindi was then presented with a Certificate of Appreciation and Military Spouse's Medal. In addition to her presentation, Cindi pinned the retirement pin on Col. Davis as a token of his service and symbol of his transition to retired military status.

Following the presentations, the 482nd FW Honor Guard performed a flag folding ceremony to commemorate Davis' distinguished career.

Prior to serving as the vice commander here for three years, Davis served as the vice commander at the 944th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. He is a command pilot with 3,000 flying hours, including 100 combat hours. During his career, he flew the F-4, T-37, T-38, F-16A/C aircraft. He led and flew combat missions for operations Provide Comfort II, Decisive Edge and Northern Watch.

Retirement events also included a 'fini-flight', which marks the last flight in the military career of a pilot. His family and friends attended, hosing him down with water following his final flight Jan. 10.

His career, spanning more than 30 years, began in 1984 when he graduated Officer Training School. After his commission, he was the top graduate and top academic award winner from F-4 navigator training at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. He then went on to undergraduate pilot training at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., where he won the Commander's Cup as the top graduate in 1987.

When not serving as the vice commander at the 482nd FW, Davis is a pilot with a major airline flying the Boeing 777. His retirement will officially begin Jan. 31, where he will focus on family and his civilian job.