News 86th AW commander takes final flight June 11, 2015 Photos by 1st Lt. Clay Lancaster and Staff Sgt. Leslie Keopka Brig. Gen. Patrick X. Mordente, overlooks a river region near Ramstein during his final flight aboard a C-130J Super Hercules June 10. Mordente, after completing his command tour on Ramstein, has been selected to serve as the 18th Air Force vice commander at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Brig. Gen. Patrick X. Mordente, 86th Airlift Wing commander, takes a photo with his daughter, Catherine, and wife, Marissa, after his final flight June 10 on Ramstein. Marissa marshalled Mordente’s C-130J Super Hercules in, where he was greeted by friends, family and Airmen. Mordente has led six groups and 27 squadrons as the wing commander since June 2013. Mordente taxis a C-130J Super Hercules as the aircraft gets sprayed down by firetrucks. Mordente, along with several aircrew members from the 37th Airlift Squadron, took his four-hour final flight over Germany on the anniversary of his pilot training graduation date 27 years ago. Mordente and Maj. Jonathan Cato, 37th Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules pilot, fly over the German countryside during Mordente’s final flight. Mordente shakes hands with Airmen down a receiving line after his final flight. Mordente entered the Air Force in 1987 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and earned his pilot wings in 1988. Tags: 37th Airlift Squadron (AS) × 86th Airlift Wing « Previous × Next » Share Tweet