Last flight in the F-15C

I had the chance to be able to go to Alaska one last time with the squadron to do some flying. On Thursday, I had my last flight in the F-15C. I was fortunate enough to share the last flight with a maintenance troop, who was getting a ride for the first time. We got the jet started and taxied down to the end of the runway where I asked for a maximum afterburner takeoff and unrestricted climb to 16,000 feet. I lit the wicks and got airborne and because it was cold out the jet accelerated like a bat out of H-E-double hockey sticks! Anyway by the end of the runway we were going about 450 knots and then I pulled straight up. In no kidding about 15 seconds we went from sea level to 18,000 feet where I leveled the jet off and then headed out to take a tour of Mt McKinley. We flew around the peaks and then headed over to some other mountains to fly low and fast through the valleys. The kid in the back seat had a hard time believing that he was doing this stuff. He was pretty blown away. Anyway after that we came back and landed and got a few more pictures of me standing in front of my jet. It was kind of cool because I got to fly my jet on my last sortie. I have to give props however to my wife who graciously said, "Go have fun with the boys one last time!". Ames, your the best. I love you!

"Chester" in front of his jet just after landing from his last flight in the F-15C. The rest of the pictures are really of me flying on my last sortie.

Waiting for takeoff clearance.

Just after lift off. We are about 180 knots.

Leveling off to accelerate. Notice both afterburners cooking!

Pulling through about 60 degrees nose high. It feels pretty much like vertical.

This is about 80 degrees nose high. We pulled about 5G's getting the nose up. Notice the wingtip vortexes that trail the jet. They were about a couple of hundred feet long.