*Pensacola News Journal July 14, 2011
A Naval flight officer instructor made his final flight at Pensacola Naval Air Station last month following a 54-year Navy flying career
Retired Cmdr. Douglas Barron, 75, took to the air for the last time May 31 in a T-39 Sabreliner painted in a vintage paint scheme for the Centennial of Naval Aviation.
Barron retired from the Navy as a decorated combat pilot after the Vietnam War. He spent the following 30 years as a Navy civilian contract pilot training Naval flight officer students.
Per Navy tradition, Barron's jet was greeted by fire engines spraying arcs of water and a crowd of well-wishers after returning from his final flight.
"There is no place that I would rather complete it than flying for Training Wing 6 at NAS Pensacola." Barron said. "I have made life-long friends from among the students and mission commanders and have shared aviation adventures with many of them."
Navy officials estimate Barron has contributed to the training of more than 10,000 flight officer students.
Written by Reporter Travis Griggs
Doug Barron was a Squadronmate of mine in VA-94 & VA-125 from 1958 to 1965 in FJ-4 Furys then A-4 Skyhawks. In 1965, we both went to war, he in VA-22 and I in VA-146. We have remained close friends and kept in touch over the years.
What a fantastic career. I thought I had it made with 11 straight years in an A-4 cockpit!
BzB
A Naval flight officer instructor made his final flight at Pensacola Naval Air Station last month following a 54-year Navy flying career
Retired Cmdr. Douglas Barron, 75, took to the air for the last time May 31 in a T-39 Sabreliner painted in a vintage paint scheme for the Centennial of Naval Aviation.
Barron retired from the Navy as a decorated combat pilot after the Vietnam War. He spent the following 30 years as a Navy civilian contract pilot training Naval flight officer students.
Per Navy tradition, Barron's jet was greeted by fire engines spraying arcs of water and a crowd of well-wishers after returning from his final flight.
"There is no place that I would rather complete it than flying for Training Wing 6 at NAS Pensacola." Barron said. "I have made life-long friends from among the students and mission commanders and have shared aviation adventures with many of them."
Navy officials estimate Barron has contributed to the training of more than 10,000 flight officer students.
Written by Reporter Travis Griggs
Doug Barron was a Squadronmate of mine in VA-94 & VA-125 from 1958 to 1965 in FJ-4 Furys then A-4 Skyhawks. In 1965, we both went to war, he in VA-22 and I in VA-146. We have remained close friends and kept in touch over the years.
What a fantastic career. I thought I had it made with 11 straight years in an A-4 cockpit!
BzB