Liam Time!

One of the best things about my Air Force transition is more family time, especially with Liam.  He and I have had some great times together from his first time fishing, first baseball game, flying in a small airplane to St. Louis, and playing around on the farm.  He even gives me a kiss without having the threaten him with the "tickle monster" and returns a "I love you too" every now and then.  Proud to be Liam's Dad (Lilli's and Luis' too of course)!

The Ferguson Flyer - Fasten Your Seatbelts!

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THE FERGUSON FLYER
MAY 2015

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Click here (English) or here (Deutsch) to read our May newsletter.

Pressing Forward,

Lance, Lana, Liam, Lilli, & Luis

PMA Presentation @ The Hangar

After three weeks in Bavaria, we drove back to the base to wrap up some final things before departing for Michigan on May 1st.  On one particular Sunday evening, Ed and Joy Bissonnette gave us the opportunity to share our story again with The Hangar community. The Hangar is a Wednesday night Bible study run by Ed and Joy who are Cadence International missionaries to the military at Spangdahlem.

The evening was a blessing to all involved and each time we share we're encouraged by those who tell us they were encouraged to hear what God has been doing in our lives. We ended the evening with a prayerful and teary eyed send off - what better way to depart Germany!

Terminal Leave In Bavaria

A few days after my last flight in the F-16, we were started what the Air Force calls terminal leave.  We had about six weeks of holiday time left over that we hadn't used and chose the option of using it the rather than "selling" it back for money.

We spent the first week in Munich with Lana's mom and had the privilege to share our PMA story with Lana's former church.  We were completely surprised by the 60 or so people who came out on a Friday for our presentation.  It was a great mutual encouragement.

After a week, we drove to Chieming where Lana's grandparents are from.  No matter how many times  we visit this are of Bavaria it is just breath taking and you can help but stand in awe of God's creation.  On one particular day, we drove about an hour south down near Berchtesgaden in the southeastern part of Germany and went for an amazing hike.  The pictures below of the mountains were the view we had - amazing!  Having so much family time has been amazing and we're enjoying every minute of it.

After some sad goodbyes with Lana's family, we were on the road back to Spangdahlem to tie up some last things before our flight to the USA on May 1st.

Last Flight In The Mighty Viper

March 30th, 2015 marked the end of my Air Force flying career after 10 years of flying the F-16 (12 years total).  Here's the base recap of where we've been assigned:

Maxwell AFB, AL - Officer's Training School
Columbus AFB, MS - Pilot Training
Moody AFB, GA - Intro to Fighter Fundamentals
Luke AFB, AZ - F-16 flying training
Aviano AB, Italy - 510 Fighter Squadron
Kunsan AB, S. Korea - 35 Fighter Squadron
Shaw AFB, SC - 77 Fighter Squadron
Nellis AFB, NV - 16 Weapons Squadron
Spangdahlem AB, Germany - 480 Fighter Squadron

When I woke that morning in the base temporary lodging facility, the heavy rain was "falling" sideways and I had the stomach bug our family had been passing around the house the past few days.  I prayed silently, "Jesus, please clear the weather today and calm this sickness."  Upon the day's conclusion Lana, the family, and I would close a major chapter of our lives in preparation for the next.

I was feeling the emotions of excitement and sadness mixed together as the much anticipated day had arrived -- one of many lasts.  The last flight brief I would give, the last time I would strap on my g-suit, the last time I would organize mission materials on my flying knee board, the last ride out to and back from the jet in the pilot bus, the last takeoff, the last "kick" of the afterburner, the last castle tour along the Rhine and Mosel Rivers, the last of seeing the green German countryside from the air, the last time I'd lead my 4-ship up initial, the last landing, the last time I'd be welcomed by my fellow pilots and family back in my parking spot before being wrestled to the ground, duck taped, and sprayed with water in awesome fighter pilot fashion.  God answered our prayers and cleared the sky almost completely that afternoon and my stomach felt fine for the duration of the flight; He cares even about the small things in our lives!

I wasn't sure how the last flight would phase me emotionally (manly fighter pilot tears as Lana calls them), but it was more a day of excitement and looking forward at what is to come.  It may hit me later and I will miss flying the F-16, but knowing God has clearly led us to Pacific Mission Aviation made this day of lasts much easier to handle.