The day finally arrives. Half-Wing

Upon successful completion of NA 10, the half-wing will be awarded to every student WSO in the French Air Force. It marks a significant step in their aeronautical career and they will carry it in their turn with pride and honour just as their seniors and ancestors have done so, fighting so hard in the skies to earn their wings. 

19th February 2009 , it was my turn. LOL, (This is like so lame...like intro to a movie lidat..) haha!

It was my half-wing ceremony and this was the program for the day.

Morning: NC3 flight. (Thank God for this flight as well! I got 15, BLUE!)

Afternoon: Prep & Ceremony @ 4pm

POT @ 5pm

Dinner @ 8pm

The infamous "Half-Wing" insignia

The head of our squadron is still an operational MIRAGE 2000N Fighter WSO, thus he flew his MIRAGE over for the ceremony and look at it. Its a raging beauty. Taxiing...

I pity the poor marshaler, firstly, its uber cold and extremely windy, and secondly, you don't wanna know how loud this bird is on the ground.

Finally, halted and engine down.

Look at it....wow. Haha, don't worry guys, the 2 stuff hanging at the wings...are fuel tanks, not missiles. But well, they can somewhat be about the same size as some. Haha, scary huh?

Delta Winged MIRAGE 2000N

Pre-ceremony shivers...haha, my batch or class of 08D. All ready for the ceremony!

Sorry guys! Don't have the pics of the ceremony, only have pre & post, but if i do have, i'll post it up! Meanwhile, this is us after the ceremony taking photos with the birds. If you still dunno where I am, just look for the shortest one. They call me "TTFB". That's my callsign. 

"The Threat From Below"

08D Rocks! 3 French & 3 Singaporeans

Finally, me and the bird. Alone.haha..with the exception of 2 guys on the otherside.

This was the bird that was so faithful to us. Haha, if you're wondering, this is the Mousquetaire, I've currently training on this and I have 6-7 flights left. 

At the end of everything, before the MIRAGE took off again, our evil sinister instructors had something for us. We were all lined up in a line...my 08D batch together with other french trainees...and we were SUPPOSED to salute the MIRAGE as it taxis out of the apron. Guess what...the noise was deafening...the wind was extremely strong, we were sooooooooo cold! And then the MIRAGE taxied..

"KAAA-BOOOOOM!" Some of the French trainees were blown off their feet...one guy even had his peak cap blown off! Haha...The bird purposely shot off a shot boom frm its butt...soooooooooo COOL! haha...

After that, we all headed back to the Squadron for POT. Sth like social drinking session to chill and interact with everyone. However, all of us were supposed to ask a girl, a pretty one to come...if not we'll suffer. To start off, the instrs took back our half-wings and threw it into cups of really really sick drinks. And we had to drink it to finally reach our half-wing. Gosh...it sucks. But thankfully, it wasnt tt bad. This drink was just SUPER concentrated salt water + a sick calamari. You have to drink it all up and eat the calamari before you can put the half-wing again. So well, I just did it and...plat. Horrible. However, 2 of us, a french trainee and myself, did not have any partner with us, so..haha..we had to drink  TWICE. But oh well, just drink lor. Lol. So it was all talking talking talking...till bout 730pm and we all went to a pretty posh restaurant for dinner. THAT LASTED more than 3 HOURS. Gosh, really long. Haha...i came back at 12+ and just dead on the bed. 

This half-wing however, is very significant to me. It represents 50% of my completion to my full wing and also shows that I have what it takes...(SO FAR) to continue and prove that I can earn that wing. 

I would like to dedicate my half-wing firstly and most importantly to God. Father, w/o you, all these would never have been possible. Thank you for always guiding me, granting me wisdom and allowing me to fly with you, my pilot. Secondly, my beloved family. Dad, mum , jie...you guys have always been there for me, since day 1. I thank you for continually being my support and my strength. I know that whatever I'm doing still worries you, but worry not, for God is with me! Thank you so much, really.A Thirdly, Esther. Thank you for also being so supportive and encouraging to me. Your msgs, emails and calls always brightens up my day. Thank you for helping me in whatever way you can. I truly appreciate you. Lastly, all my friends out there, my detonate family...you guys rocks! Thank you everyone for your prayers. I love you all. 

Well...half-wing now over...the fight for the full wing...begins...