Red letter day

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Master Sgt. German Jaramillo, a reservist at the 920th Rescue Wing here, gets a fond farewell from his fellow aircrew members after returning from his final flight with the wing. After nearly 18 years of service in the Air Force, Sergeant Jaramillo is leaving military life to attend the FBI Academy at Quantico, Va. Known as a "fini flight," the Air Force tradition of dousing an Airman, then presenting him or her a bottle of champagne upon their safe return from their last flight, dates back to the Vietnam War, when pilots received a similar treatment after completing their 100th combat mission, signifying the end of their tours there. The water used to soak Sergeant Jaramillo was mixed with sea dye, which is used during search-and-rescue missions to mark the location of people floating in the ocean. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Paul Flipse)

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