Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz flies an MC-130E Combat Talon I during his last flight as an active duty officer near Hurlburt Field, Fla., July 12, 2012. The MC-130E Combat Talon I crew conducted a local training sortie during the mission. It also served as Schwartz’s “fini flight” in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz celebrates with friends after his "hose down," following his last flight as an active-duty officer on an MC-130E Combat Talon I, at Hurlburt Field, Fla., July 12, 2012. The MC-130E crew conducted a local training sortie during the mission. It also served as Schwartz's "fini flight" in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Williams)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz flies an MC-130E Combat Talon I during his last flight as an active duty officer near Hurlburt Field, Fla., July 12, 2012. The MC-130E Combat Talon I crew conducted a local training sortie during the mission. It also served as Schwartz’s “fini flight” in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz gets “hosed down” by his wife Suzie following his last flight as an active duty officer at Hurlburt Field, Fla., July 12, 2012. The MC-130E Combat Talon I crew conducted a local training sortie during the mission. It also served as Schwartz’s “fini flight” in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. David Salanitri)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz is embraced by his wife Susie, following his last flight as an active duty officer on an MC-130E Combat Talon I, at Hurlburt Field, Fla., July 12, 2012. The MC-130E crew conducted a local training sortie during the mission. It also served as Schwartz's "fini flight" in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Williams)
Chief Master Sgt. Tyler Outten and Maj. William Palmatier watch as Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz flies an MC-130E Combat Talon I July 12, 2012, during his last flight as an active duty officer. The MC-130E Combat Talon I crew conducted a local training sortie during the mission that also served as Schwartz’s “fini flight” in the Air Force. Outten and Palmatier are reservists with the 919th Special Operations Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz shakes hands with Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, following his last flight as an active-duty officer on an MC-130E Combat Talon I, at Hurlburt Field, Fla., July 12, 2012. The MC-130E crew conducted a local training sortie during the mission. It also served as Schwartz's "fini flight" in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Williams)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz taxis an MC-130E Combat Talon I after landing at Hurlburt Field, Fla., July 12, 2012. The mission was Schwartz’s last flight as an active duty officer and served as his “fini flight” in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. David Salanitri)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz speaks to members of the Air Force Association and the Air Commando Association at Hurlburt Field, Fla., July 12, 2012. Schwartz visited the base to meet with Air Force Special Operations Command leaders and airmen. During the visit, he flew his last flight as an active duty officer on an MC-130E Combat Talon I. The MC-130E crew conducted a local training sortie during the mission. It also served as Schwartz's "fini flight" in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Williams)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz hugs a member of the Soundside Club staff at Hurlburt Field, Fla., July 12, 2012. Schwartz visited the base to meet with Air Force Special Operations Command leaders and airmen. During the visit, he flew his last flight as an active-duty officer on an MC-130E Combat Talon I. The MC-130E crew conducted a local training sortie during the mission. It also served as Schwartz's "fini flight" in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Williams)
by Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.
919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
7/14/2012 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) -- When Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz climbed aboard the MC-130E Combat Talon I here July 12, for his last flight as an active duty officer, he immediately began to reminisce on his flying career with special operations and the C-130 Hercules community.
"This is more than a little sentimental for me to be back in this seat again," the general said. "It's a special privilege to complete my flying career on this aircraft."
During a visit to Hurlburt Field to meet with Airmen and Air Force Special Operations Command leadership, Schwartz joined an MC-130E crew on a local training sortie, which served as Schwartz's "fini flight" in the Air Force.
The MC-130E he flew, No. 64-0568, belongs to the 919th Special Operations Wing, an Air Force Reserve wing at Duke Field, Fla. Schwartz, who piloted No. 568 on a memorable but arduous mission in 1982, said the aircraft holds a special place in his heart. Before boarding, he stopped and saluted the aircraft, which along with the general is also scheduled for retirement.
Many of the flight crew for the mission had either flown with him or served under him during his special operations tours. The flight engineer, Chief Master Sgt. Tyler Outten, flew with him when he commanded the 36th Tactical Airlift Squadron at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., in 1987.
"It's very special to have you here for this final flight, Tyler," Schwartz said over the radio before the takeoff. "It's amazing thinking about those fun times. Who would've thought we'd have ended up the way we did?"
Outten said he was thrilled to engineer one more flight for his former commander.
"It was an honor and a privilege to fly the general's fini flight," Outten said. "I consider him one of the most respected men to wear the uniform. He has been an overarching influence to me and many other Airmen over the years. He's a class act."
Between an airdrop and an aerial refueling of a CV-22 Osprey over the Gulf of Mexico, Schwartz and the crew shared stories and memories over the radio, remembering the "good ol' days." The general said jokingly that it had "been awhile" since he had seen that Combat Talon control panel he knew so well.
Lt. Col. Thomas Miller, the co-pilot for the flight, said Schwartz knocked the rust off quickly and got down to the mission at hand.
"In his early years, General Schwartz was highly regarded as an outstanding Combat Talon pilot, and he was able to regain those same flying skills within a matter of minutes," Miller said. "I was very impressed with his ability to adapt to mission changes. It was a true honor for all of us to share that last flight with him."
The training flight ended with three touch-and-goes before returning to the Hurlburt Field runway where Schwartz's wife Suzie and a group of well-wishers waited. Upon exiting the Combat Talon, Schwartz received the ceremonial "hose down" before greeting his old friends and colleagues, many of whom still live in the local area.
Even though he had just completed the last flight hours of his 39-year Air Force career, afterward the general was all smiles.
"To have the opportunity to join this outstanding crew on their training sortie, for one last flight while in the Air Force, was truly special," Schwartz said. "They are true professionals dedicated to their country, and like all our Airmen, I will always be proud to have served alongside them."
Schwartz's retirement ceremony will be held Aug. 10 at Joint Base Andrews, Md.
Comments
7/21/2012 3:02:34 PM ET Really? Critiquing him wearing a ring YHGTBSM.Congrats to the CSAF on his fini. After 39 years of service, much deserved.
Cain, America
7/20/2012 3:28:56 PM ET @MX Perhaps you missed the line of the article where it stated that the CSAF was down visiting with Airman already and that he joined a sortie already planned. To me that is not a waste of money after all the trip was already planned and performed under the performance of his duties as CSAF the training flight was already planned and he was able to join. If he didn't fly in the plane his trip to Hulbert would still have gone on as would the training flight.
J Trumble, Ft Campbell
7/20/2012 2:15:09 PM ET Great job, General. I remember every moment of my brothers retirement - 31May1996 - when we met in person.God speed and enjoy your 'retirement'.
Timothy F Kercheval, Atlanta Georgia
7/18/2012 11:57:44 PM ET Not to take away from the job that Gen Schwartz has done as our Chief of Staff. In a time that we are struggling to find money cutbacks on personnel equipment airplanes parts and even shutting off our AC for all our buildings on base on the weekends to save costs how much money was just wasted to fly him and his entourage from DC to Hurlburt to generate a local sortie for a few hours. The man hours the fuel cost the per diem I am sure that bill is well over 100K. I can't run an APU on my airplanes to keep cool because all our AC carts are broken because it cost money. Practice what you preach from the top down.
MX, Conus
7/18/2012 5:40:29 PM ET @DC not to rain on your little parade but I do not see any pictures of the Chief wearing a finger ring while flying especially not in photo 2. I do see a picture of the Chief wearing a finger ring while standing on the flight line. That is not prohibited. Do you KNOW for a fact that he does not keep his ring in a pocket while flying and he put it on before departing the plane I didn't think so.
Critical Thinker, Not in DC
7/18/2012 3:51:46 PM ET @ Maj- AFSOCI 11-219V3 Additional Aircraft Operations Procedures paragraph 6.3.2. instructs crewmembers 'Do not wear finger rings, earrings or other loose fitting jewelry while in on or around aircraft'. This is fairly common across all MAJCOM 11-series instructions. I don't drink, so please distribute my case of beer to your troops with my compliments.
DC, MD
7/18/2012 3:34:46 PM ET I was the pilot flying with the CSAF during this Fini Flight. The ring was placed on his finger after the flight. He had it stored in his pocket during the flight. He is an incredible officer who did an amazing job as CSAF. He will be missed.
Tom, Duke Field FL
7/18/2012 1:37:02 PM ET @DC- if you can find any reference in 91-501 or 91-100 about pilots or passengers wearing rings, then I owe you a case of beer. They're not performing maintenance, so that rule does not apply to them.
Maj, here
7/17/2012 12:32:27 PM ET Gen Schwartz: Congratulations on a job well done Thanks for visiting us in Iraq during the drawdown. Best wishes for your next steps
Capt Hertzog, Ft Meade MD
7/17/2012 9:12:21 AM ET @D. McCloud: I apologize if my gratitude to General Schwartz seemed veiled. I had the pleasure of meeting him on one occasion and personally know of another instance, I'm sure there are others, where he gave up his Christmas Day with family and friends to visit RPA crews and maintainers on duty at Creech AFB flying and supporting AOR missions. He is truely an honorable and humble man and our Air Force is better and stronger having had him as our Chief. As for the hat comment, it speaks to compliance. Of which General Schwartz spent much of his time reestablishing along with accountability. I'm surprised nobody mentioned it to the two and even more surprised the photo didn't end up on the cutting room floor.
Tim, Keesler
7/17/2012 7:40:14 AM ET The fini flight concept is cool. I'm in Transportation and we have thesame thing when someone retires. It's called a fini drive. Individuals areallowed to operate a vehicle they have never driven like a street sweeper orthe base taxi. Upon completion they are hosed down with beer.
J Henderson WPAFB, WPAFB
7/16/2012 6:19:49 PM ET Chief, Godspeed and Happy Landings for the future. You executed and completed your CSAF assignment As Briefed using a WWII 8th AF motto.
Chuck Martin, Alexandria VA
7/16/2012 5:59:07 PM ET Myself and my husband had the honor of serving with him at Hurlburt He is an honorable and very memorable part of our time in the USAF, not just our time at Hurlburt Field God Speed to him and his family
Renee Stabila TSgt Ret, Westcliffe CO
7/16/2012 3:35:27 PM ET Tim AFI 34-1201 Protocol addresses your concern quite clearly. Paragraph 11. 2. 3. states 'Hats are not normally worn on the flight line. however ,it is common for DV greeters and the greeting party to wear hats when greeting high ranking personnel'. But if we must find something to complain about, how about the CSAF wearing a finger ring while flying seen in photo 2.
DC, MD
7/16/2012 12:50:46 PM ET Gen Schwartz: I had the honor to work under your Wings in Hurlburt Field in the early nineties and deployed with you across the ocean. You never turned down one of our ideas. The AFSOC medics owe it in great part what they are today to you vision. You taught me that a medic can also lead and take the roles of line-officers when needed. That built my path as an AF Officer that happens to be a doctor. God Speed and God Bless You and your Family.
Col Dr. Jose Rodriguez-Vazquez, DHHQ Virginia
7/16/2012 12:00:15 PM ET @Tim: Amazing how your veiled appreciation for the CSAF quickly went into a critique of what you saw. what, are you afraid of their hats being sucked into the MC130 props. Guess you would have been an exasperated FOD monitor during WWII as all aircrews wore hats on the flightline around their prop aircraft.
D McCloud, AK
7/16/2012 9:26:07 AM ET General Schwartz great job leading our Air Force. You've been the best Chief of Staff in my memory.BTW nice hat chief and officer standing in front of the CMSAF. What ever happend to no hats on the flightline Somebody needs to speak to that vice wing commander who by AFI is responible for FOD prevention.
