Off into the wild blue yonder... Published June 3, 2014 By 412th Test Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Keeping with tradition, Col. Daniel D. Daetz is sprayed down with water and champagne by (center-left) his wife Esme, Douglas Daetz, his father, and Brig. Gen. Michael Brewer, 412th Test Wing commander. The celebration followed Daetz's final qualification flight aboard an F-16 May 29. A retirement ceremony was held for him at Club Muroc May 30. Daetz is retiring after 28 years in the Air Force. He is a distinguished graduate from the Air Force Academy. After serving in various capacities as an F-15C Strike Eagle pilot along with 22 combat missions in Southwest Asia, Daetz was selected to attend the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School where he became a distinguished graduate in 1999. He later served as commander of the 411th Flight Test Squadron and F-22 Integrated Test Force director. His final assignment was as vice commander for the 412th Test Wing. He is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours in 35 different airframes. He and his family will transition to Colorado.