4th FW/CC takes final flight

U.S. Air Force Col. Patrick Doherty waves to the crowd after completing his final flight in an F-15E Strike Eagle as the 4th Fighter Wing commander on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 23, 2012. Doherty will relinquish command of the 4th FW to Col. Jeannie Leavitt in a change-of-command ceremony, June 1. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
4th FW/CC takes final flight

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Rodger Kemp shows Brooke Doherty, 17, how to use a fire hose during her father’s “fini flight” on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 23, 2012. Brooke is the daughter of U.S. Air Force Col. Patrick Doherty, the current 4th Fighter Wing commander who will relinquish command of the 4th FW to Col. Jeannie Leavitt in a change-of-command ceremony, June 1. Kemp, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron fire emergency services flight firefighter, is from Chicago. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
4th FW/CC takes final flight

U.S. Air Force Col. Patrick Doherty taxis through fire hose arches after completing his final flight in an F-15E Strike Eagle as the 4th Fighter Wing commander on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 23, 2012. Doherty will relinquish command of the 4th FW to Col. Jeannie Leavitt in a change-of-command ceremony, June 1. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Gino Reyes/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
4th FW/CC takes final flight

Grace, 14, Brooke, 17, and Madeline Doherty, 18, wait to spray their father, Col. Patrick Doherty following his “fini flight” on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 23, 2012. It is an Air Force tradition to have family, friends and Airmen from the wing toast the departing aircrew member and hose them down with water as they debark the aircraft. Doherty will relinquish command of the 4th Fighter Wing to Col. Jeannie Leavitt in a change-of-command ceremony, June 1. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
4th FW/CC takes final flight

U.S. Air Force Col. Patrick Doherty is hosed down by family members following his final flight in an F-15E Strike Eagle as the 4th Fighter Wing commander on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 23, 2012. It is an Air Force tradition to have family, friends and Airmen from the wing toast the departing aircrew member and hose them down with water as they debark the aircraft. Doherty will relinquish command of the 4th FW to Col. Jeannie Leavitt in a change-of-command ceremony, June 1. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
4th FW/CC takes final flight

Col. Patrick Doherty hugs his wife, Dee Dee, after completing his final flight in an F-15E Strike Eagle as the 4th Fighter Wing commander on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 23, 2012. Doherty will relinquish command of the 4th FW to Col. Jeannie Leavitt in a change-of-command ceremony, June 1. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
4th FW/CC takes final flight

Col. Patrick Doherty poses for a photo with fellow F-15E Strike Eagle aircrew after completing his final flight as the 4th Fighter Wing commander on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 23, 2012. Doherty will relinquish command of the 4th FW to Col. Jeannie Leavitt in a change-of-command ceremony, June 1. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

4th FW/CC takes final flight

Published May 24, 2012
By 4th Fighter Wing
Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE, N.C. -- Col. Patrick Doherty, 4th Fighter Wing commander, completed his F-15E Strike Eagle "fini flight" here, May 23.

A "fini flight" is the final flight taken by an aircrew member at their current assignment.

It is an Air Force tradition to have family, friends and Airmen from the wing to toast the departing aircrew member and hose them down with water as they debark the aircraft.

Doherty will relinquish command of the 4th FW to Col. Jeannie Leavitt, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Fellow, in a change-of-command ceremony June 1, as he prepares to be the Director of Air Force Assignments at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.