Mustang One's last ride

Released by 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs December 3, 2009:



Col. Thomas "Big" Deale prepares for his A-10 fini flight with A-10 80-0251 December 2, 2009, at Osan AB, Republic of Korea. Col. Deale will relinquish command of the wing to Col. Patrick Malackowski in a change of command ceremony December 7. After serving as the 51st Fighter Wing commander for 14 months, Col. Deale was selected to become the Director of Colonel Management at the Pentagon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephenie Wade) Hi-res



Col. Deale receives his mission brief before his A-10 fini flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephenie Wade) Hi-res



Col. Deale performs pre-flight checks before his A-10 fini flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephenie Wade) Hi-res



Welcomed by two fire trucks, Col. Deale taxies his A-10 for the last time at Osan AB during his fini flight. ( U.S. Air Force photo by MSgt Marlin Zimmerman) Hi-res



Col. Deale taxies his A-10 for the last time at Osan AB during his fini flight. ( U.S. Air Force photo by MSgt Marlin Zimmerman) Hi-res



Col. Deale gets hosed down after his fini flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by MSgt Marlin Zimmerman) Hi-res

Source

On the same day, 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs released the following:

Colonel Deale bids farewell to Team Osan, Republic of Korea

To all Mustangs,

It's been my distinct honor to serve as your commander for the past 14 months. Together we've used outstanding teamwork, professionalism and dedication to our Air Force core values in overcoming a great deal of challenges in our mission to defend the Republic of Korea.

It's always difficult to thank everyone you'd like to as you depart a command assignment, but that's never truer than here at Osan. Our Airmen, Soldiers, U.S. and Korean civilians go above and beyond the duties of their daily mission to improve this base and this nation, so when I thank you for your service, I'm also thanking you for your volunteerism and your dedication to your family, whether they are with you or not.

As Col. Patrick Malackowski takes command next week, I have no doubt you will continue to serve your tour in Korea as admirably as you did with me. I'm certain you'll reach even greater heights under his leadership.

As my family and I head back to the United States, I can also guarantee you that this isn't "goodbye," rather it is "see you soon." I look forward to the day when I serve side by side with you again in the world's greatest Air Force. So to our Team Osan counterparts from 7th Air Force, the Republic of Korea Air Force and all servicemembers on the Korean peninsula, thank you. It has been an honor to serve with you in defense of this great nation.

Mustang 1, Out.

Associated picture:



51st Fighter Wing Commander Col. Thomas Deale, far right, prepares for his Fini Flight December 2, 2009, at Osan AB, along with Lt. Col. Mark Barrera (far left) and Maj. Patrick Crupi, both 51st Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephenie Wade) Hi-res

Source

Official biography of Col. Thomas H. Deale:

Hi-res

Col. Thomas H. Deale is Commander, 51st Fighter Wing, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The wing's mission is to plan, support and execute military operations, to include counterair, interdiction, close air support and inter-theater airlift. The 51st Fighter Wing consists of more than 5,861 people in four groups, to include an F-16 fighter squadron and an A-10 fighter squadron. The wing also supports five tenant units directly involved in warfighting activities. In addition, it maintains and administers 48 geographically separated units at 18 sites throughout the Korean peninsula, including seven munitions sites.

Colonel Deale entered the Air Force in 1987 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy. His operational assignments include duty as an OA-10 Forward Air Controller and Battalion Air Liaison Officer, A/OA-10 instructor pilot and evaluator, A-10 Demonstration Pilot, and a Combat Search and Rescue instructor pilot. Colonel Deale commanded the 25th Fighter Squadron during his first tour at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. He also commanded the 355th Operations Group at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, the largest A-10 flying operation in the USAF with three fighter squadrons, responsible for all initial A-10 qualification training, and the first active-duty unit to field the A-10C. His staff duties include tours at the Air Force Doctrine Center and the Joint Staff. While at the Doctrine Center, he authored the first-ever Air Warfare, Counterland, and Airspace Control Doctrine and also helped develop the USAF's first-ever Operational-level Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures. On the Joint Staff, Colonel Deale directed Korea policy for J-5, Strategic Plans and Policies Directorate. He then served as a Special Assistant in the Office of the Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff helping formulate defense policy and advising the Secretary of State. A combat experienced aviator, he flew 60 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm as an OA-10 Airborne Forward Air Controller, and multiple combat support missions during Operation Southern Watch.

EDUCATION
1987 Bachelor of Science degree in Astronautical Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.
1992 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
1997 Master of Aeronautical Science degree, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
1998 U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
1999 Master of Airpower Arts and Science degree, School of Advanced Airpower Studies,
Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2000 Command and Control Weapons Advanced Course, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
2002 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (Correspondence)
2004 Master of National Resource Strategy degree, Industrial College of the Armed Forces,
Fort Leslie J. McNair, Washington D.C.
2009 USAF Enterprise Leadership Seminar, Darden School of Business, University of Virginia.

ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 1987 - October 1988, student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2. October 1988 - February 1989, student, Fighter Lead-In Training, Holloman AFB, N.M.
3. February 1989 - August 1989, student, A/OA-10 Replacement Training, 333rd Fighter Squadron and 22nd Tactical Air Support Training Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
4. September 1989 - December 1991, OA-10 Pilot and Chief Battalion Air Liaison Officer, 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
5. December 1991 - March 1992, A/OA-10 Flight Lead, Chief of Mobility, 354th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
6. April 1992 - June 1995, A/OA-10 Instructor and Evaluator Pilot, East Coast A-10 Demonstration Pilot, 75th Fighter Squadron, Pope AFB, N.C.
7. July 1995 - November 1995, Chief of A/OA-10 Standards/Evaluations, 23rd Operations Group, Pope AFB, N.C.
8. November 1995 - May 1997, Flight Commander, A/OA-10 Instructor and Evaluator Pilot, 358th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
9. June 1997 - May 1998, student, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
10. June 1998 - May 1999, student, School of Advanced Airpower Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
11. June 1999 - May 2001, Chief of Air Warfare Doctrine, Air Force Doctrine Center, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
12. June 2001 - September 2001, student, A/OA-10 Requalification Course, 357th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
13. October 2001 - May 2002, A/OA-10 Instructor Pilot, Chief of Readiness and Assessment, 51st Fighter Wing, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
14. June 2002 - June 2003, Director of Operations, 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
15. July 2003 - June 2004, Commander, 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
16. July 2004 - May 2005, student, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort Leslie J. McNair, Washington D.C.
17. June 2005 - June 2006, Country Director for Korea, J-5 Deputy Directorate for Political-Military Affairs- Asia, the Joint Staff, Washington D.C.
18. July 2006 - July 2007, Special Assistant, Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington D.C.
19. July 2007 - October 2008, Commander, 355th Operations Group, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
20. October 2008 - present, Commander, 51st Fighter Wing, Osan AB, Republic of Korea

FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 2,700 hours
Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-38, A-10A, A-10C

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze star
Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Kuwait Liberation Medal, Government of Kuwait

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 27, 1987
First Lieutenant May 27, 1989
Captain May 27, 1991
Major Sept. 1, 1997
Lieutenant Colonel May 1, 2001
Colonel Nov. 1, 2006

(Current as of October 2009)

Source

Related info:
51st Fighter Wing to Change Command Dec. 7
Osan wing leader heading to Pentagon (Stars and Stripes)

BTW: I still await official info of the announced change of command ceremony.