BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - Col. Michael Millen, 455th Expeditionary Operations Group commander, flew his final A-10 sortie Aug. 28, 2013. Millen's last flight, or "fini-flight," at Bagram follows a tradition that pilots, upon completion of their final flight, are met, doused with water, and congratulated by their comrades in arms.
During a short speech following his fini-flight, the native of Marietta, Ga., personally thanked those who attended the ceremony, including the maintainers from that kept his group’s fleet of aircraft combat ready during his yearlong tour here.
"I really appreciate everybody coming out today, and I especially thank the [74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron] Flying Tigers for the honor and privilege of finishing my flying career with all of you in such a legendary fighter squadron,” said Millen, whose last Air Force assignment was at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. “You have all done a fantastic job keeping this old fighter pilot tactically sound and ready to fight during these last six months."
Millen has been assigned to Bagram since September 2012. His 455 EOG includes seven squadrons, five different types of combat aircraft and more than 700 personnel.
His previous operational assignment was command of the 354th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., which deployed still under his command to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
He is a command pilot with nearly 3,500 hours in the A-10, including 800 hours of combat in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.