High above Eastern Europe, a Hunter Army Airfield Apache pilot took off for the final time, closing the chapter on a nearly two-decade career in Army aviation.Chief Warrant Officer 4 Alan King, stationed in Poland with the 3rd Infantry Division, recently completed his last flight before retiring from the U.S. Army. The moment marked the end of 19 years of service—and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream inspired by his father, a Vietnam War helicopter pilot.“My dad was a Huey gunship and Cobra pilot, so I always wanted to fly attack helicopters,” King said. “When I had the choice in flight school, I chose the Apache.”King flew his final mission alongside Lt. Col. Jeffrey Murphy, a longtime colleague and friend.“We were kind of the old guys flying together,” Murphy said. “Probably the least squared away—but with the most experience.”That experience includes more than 3,000 flight hours, nearly half of them in combat. King joined the Army at age 28, and went on to serve in multiple assignments around the world.Beyond aviation, King also competed at the highest levels of the sport he loves—earning a spot on both the U.S. Army Golf Team and Team USA’s military golf team. He said Savannah, where he and his family live, has played a significant role in his life.“I love the golf around Savannah, the people, everything about it,” King said. “They’ve been great to me.”As King lifted off for the final time, his family—including his wife—watched from home in Savannah, nearly thousands of miles away, joining the moment through FaceTime.“It was important they could be part of it,” King said. “My wife was watching the whole thing live.”Born in Greenville, South Carolina, and raised in Orlando, Florida, King plans to remain in the Southeast after officially retiring July 1.Though the transition brings mixed emotions, King says he leaves the Army grateful for every moment.“It’s bittersweet,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed the heck out of it. But all good things have to come to an end.”
High above Eastern Europe, a Hunter Army Airfield Apache pilot took off for the final time, closing the chapter on a nearly two-decade career in Army aviation.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Alan King, stationed in Poland with the 3rd Infantry Division, recently completed his last flight before retiring from the U.S. Army. The moment marked the end of 19 years of service—and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream inspired by his father, a Vietnam War helicopter pilot.
“My dad was a Huey gunship and Cobra pilot, so I always wanted to fly attack helicopters,” King said. “When I had the choice in flight school, I chose the Apache.”
King flew his final mission alongside Lt. Col. Jeffrey Murphy, a longtime colleague and friend.
“We were kind of the old guys flying together,” Murphy said. “Probably the least squared away—but with the most experience.”
That experience includes more than 3,000 flight hours, nearly half of them in combat. King joined the Army at age 28, and went on to serve in multiple assignments around the world.
Beyond aviation, King also competed at the highest levels of the sport he loves—earning a spot on both the U.S. Army Golf Team and Team USA’s military golf team. He said Savannah, where he and his family live, has played a significant role in his life.
“I love the golf around Savannah, the people, everything about it,” King said. “They’ve been great to me.”
As King lifted off for the final time, his family—including his wife—watched from home in Savannah, nearly thousands of miles away, joining the moment through FaceTime.
“It was important they could be part of it,” King said. “My wife was watching the whole thing live.”
Born in Greenville, South Carolina, and raised in Orlando, Florida, King plans to remain in the Southeast after officially retiring July 1.
Though the transition brings mixed emotions, King says he leaves the Army grateful for every moment.
“It’s bittersweet,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed the heck out of it. But all good things have to come to an end.”