U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, poses for a photo with his family after his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The tradition commemorates an aviator's final flight before changing assignments, commemorating Col. Davidson's service as both a pilot and wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

Col. Davidson conducts his final flight as the 35th Fighter Wing commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, poses for a photo with his family after his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The tradition commemorates an aviator's final flight before changing assignments, commemorating Col. Davidson's service as both a pilot and wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)
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U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, prepares to leave an F-16 Fighting Falcon after his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The fini flight commemorated Col. Davidson’s conclusion of his flying chapter with the 35th Fighter Wing before beginning his next assignment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

Col. Davidson conducts his final flight as the 35th Fighter Wing commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, prepares to leave an F-16 Fighting Falcon after his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The fini flight commemorated Col. Davidson’s conclusion of his flying chapter with the 35th Fighter Wing before beginning his next assignment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, flies an F-16 Fighting Falcon during his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The final flight celebrated the completion of Col. Davidson’s command, reflecting the enduring tradition of recognizing leaders whose service shaped the wing’s mission and culture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

Col. Davidson conducts his final flight as the 35th Fighter Wing commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, flies an F-16 Fighting Falcon during his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The final flight celebrated the completion of Col. Davidson’s command, reflecting the enduring tradition of recognizing leaders whose service shaped the wing’s mission and culture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, poses for a photo with his family after his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The tradition commemorates an aviator's final flight before changing assignments, commemorating Col. Davidson's service as both a pilot and wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

    Col. Davidson conducts his final flight as the 35th Fighter Wing commander

    U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, poses for a photo with his family after his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The tradition commemorates an aviator's final flight before changing assignments, commemorating Col. Davidson's service as both a pilot and wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, prepares to leave an F-16 Fighting Falcon after his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The fini flight commemorated Col. Davidson’s conclusion of his flying chapter with the 35th Fighter Wing before beginning his next assignment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

    Col. Davidson conducts his final flight as the 35th Fighter Wing commander

    U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, prepares to leave an F-16 Fighting Falcon after his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The fini flight commemorated Col. Davidson’s conclusion of his flying chapter with the 35th Fighter Wing before beginning his next assignment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, flies an F-16 Fighting Falcon during his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The final flight celebrated the completion of Col. Davidson’s command, reflecting the enduring tradition of recognizing leaders whose service shaped the wing’s mission and culture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

    Col. Davidson conducts his final flight as the 35th Fighter Wing commander

    U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, flies an F-16 Fighting Falcon during his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The final flight celebrated the completion of Col. Davidson’s command, reflecting the enduring tradition of recognizing leaders whose service shaped the wing’s mission and culture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Col. Davidson conducts his final flight as the 35th Fighter Wing commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Patrick Boyle
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, conducts his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The tradition commemorates an aviator's final flight before changing assignments, commemorating Col. Davidson's service as both a pilot and wing commander. 

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, poses for a group photo after his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The ceremony reflected the tradition of recognizing an aviator's final flight before departing changing assignments, commemorating Col. Davidson's service as both a pilot and wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

Col. Davidson conducts his final flight as the 35th Fighter Wing commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, poses for a group photo after his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The ceremony reflected the tradition of recognizing an aviator's final flight before departing changing assignments, commemorating Col. Davidson's service as both a pilot and wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)
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SLIDESHOW | 5 images | Col. Davidson conducts his final flight as the 35th Fighter Wing commander
U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, poses for a group photo after his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The ceremony reflected the tradition of recognizing an aviator's final flight before departing changing assignments, commemorating Col. Davidson's service as both a pilot and wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

Col. Davidson conducts his final flight as the 35th Fighter Wing commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, poses for a group photo after his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The ceremony reflected the tradition of recognizing an aviator's final flight before departing changing assignments, commemorating Col. Davidson's service as both a pilot and wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

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Members of the 35th Fighter Wing (FW), Naval Air Facility Misawa, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and families pose for a group photo after U.S. Air Force Col. Davidson’s, 35th FW commander, final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The event honored Col. Davidson’s final opportunity to fly as commander of the 35th FW, recognizing both the aviation tradition of a final flight before changing assignments and his leadership throughout the assignment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

Col. Davidson conducts his final flight as the 35th Fighter Wing commander

Members of the 35th Fighter Wing (FW), Naval Air Facility Misawa, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and families pose for a group photo after U.S. Air Force Col. Davidson’s, 35th FW commander, final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The event honored Col. Davidson’s final opportunity to fly as commander of the 35th FW, recognizing both the aviation tradition of a final flight before changing assignments and his leadership throughout the assignment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, hugs his family after his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The fini flight recognized Col. Davidson’s final flight as commander, celebrating the conclusion of his flying chapter with the 35th Fighter Wing before beginning his next assignment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

Col. Davidson conducts his final flight as the 35th Fighter Wing commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, hugs his family after his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The fini flight recognized Col. Davidson’s final flight as commander, celebrating the conclusion of his flying chapter with the 35th Fighter Wing before beginning his next assignment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, taxis in an F-16 Fighting Falcon during his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The event celebrated Col. Davidson’s service as the 35th Fighter Wing commander, recognizing his leadership. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

Col. Davidson conducts his final flight as the 35th Fighter Wing commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, taxis in an F-16 Fighting Falcon during his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The event celebrated Col. Davidson’s service as the 35th Fighter Wing commander, recognizing his leadership. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, flies an F-16 Fighting Falcon alongside two F-35 Lighning IIs during his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The final flight celebrated the completion of Col. Davidson’s command, reflecting the enduring tradition of recognizing leaders whose service shaped the wing’s mission and culture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

Col. Davidson conducts his final flight as the 35th Fighter Wing commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, flies an F-16 Fighting Falcon alongside two F-35 Lighning IIs during his final flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2026. The final flight celebrated the completion of Col. Davidson’s command, reflecting the enduring tradition of recognizing leaders whose service shaped the wing’s mission and culture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

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