As the sun burned off the thick layer of fog shrouding the Shelby-Cleveland County Regional Airport Friday morning, a white plane with the words United States of America emblazoned across the body circled the runway before coming in for a landing. The waiting crowd applauded as a Shanghai Firetruck created an arch with a spray of water which the plane came through for a ceremonial water salute.
Pilot Brian Earley was celebrated Friday with the ceremonial gesture for his final retirement flight from the U.S. Army Reserves.
Earley, who has been serving in the military for more than 21 years and currently flies for JetBlue, was welcomed by a waiting crowd of friends and family as he descended down the steps of the plane. His wife, Kristin Earley, was waiting with a bottle of champagne that she opened and sprayed him with in military tradition.
Jack Poole, airport supervisor, said Earley flew in on a King Air 200.
“I’ve been here 13 years, and I’ve never seen this before,” he said.
Kristin Earley said they are from Kentucky and the family of four – including their two sons – relocated to the Shelby area two years ago. They chose Shelby because they knew a local family, and Kristin said her husband flies out of Boston for work and since there are frequent Boston flights from Charlotte, it was an easier commute than from where they were living in Cincinnati previously.
She said for Friday’s flight, he was flying in from Fort Liberty, formerly called Fort Bragg, which is a 45-minute flight away.
The crowd, which had gathered to greet him, waited for a thick cover of fog to clear before he could land.
“He’s been in the military for over 21 years,” Kristin Earley said. “I’m very excited. Very proud.”
She said he has been flying for the Army since 2010, and they are eager to start a new chapter.
She said members of his family arrived for the occasion, and friends flew in from Texas as a surprise. A reception was held at Poplar Springs Baptist Church following the final flight.
Reporter Rebecca Sitzes can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Pilot completes final, ceremonial flight at Shelby airport
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