Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas -- An Air Force pilot receives his/her first pair of aviation wings after completing the Air Force’s Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training program.
Upon training completion, the pilot’s first wings are broken in half and kept by the pilot and a special person to the pilot; traditionally being the first and last time a pilot will have their first pair of wings intact.
The two halves are then to be kept apart as good luck for the duration of the pilot’s life, and upon death, the wings are to be reunited to give the pilot good luck in the afterlife.
This tradition goes all the way back to the days of the Army Air Corps and is growing here at Laughlin Air Force Base as class 16-04 celebrated the first-ever Blessing of the Wings ceremony.
“The Blessing of the Wings [was] inspired by a long and venerable legacy from our Navy sister service, and I'm grateful to bring this tradition to [Laughlin],” said Chap. (Maj.) Richard Beyea, 47th Flying Training Wing chaplain. “With this inaugural Blessing of the Wings, we hope to establish a new tradition at Laughlin that continues for graduating classes into the future.”
Starting with SUPT class 16-04, the base chapel will begin blessing the pilot training graduates’ first pair of wings in hopes of continuing for classes to come.
“The Blessing of the Wings service offers a moment of quiet reflection in the hustle and excitement of graduation and allows students of faith to join with the community in giving thanks and asking for continued blessings on this monumental next step in their Air Force careers,” said Beyea. “In this way, it also strengthens the spiritual pillar of Comprehensive Airman Fitness.”
For now, the interfaith blessings are scheduled to be held each Thursday before graduation, prior to retreat. The date and time will be altered to each graduation schedule.
"A huge part of military culture is tradition, and we are excited to be starting a new tradition at Laughlin this year," said Col. Thomas Shank, 47th Flying Training Wing commander. "We strive to support all facets of Comprehensive Airman Fitness, to include spiritual fitness, and the Blessing of the Wings provides that time for students to reflect on their hard work and celebrate with friends and family."