Seymour Johnson AFB Salutes North Carolina

  • Published
  • By Col. Patrick Doherty
  • 4th Fighter Wing commander
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  I'm pleased to once again invite the public to Wings Over Wayne Air Show 2011, home of the Eagle Squadrons and the legendary 4th Fighter Wing, to see firsthand how the airmen of Team Seymour and the Air Force aim high and continue to fly, fight, and win.

Specifically, I want to thank you for your continued, caring support of our Nation's greatest sons and daughters and the mission they have volunteered to care for--ensuring our freedoms and way of life are defended. The leaders and people of Goldsboro, Wayne County and North Carolina understand freedom is not free and the importance of a strong military, ensuring our Airmen and their families are well cared for due to their sacrifices and selfless service--and that's why North Carolina is the most military friendly state in our Nation. And for that, Seymour Johnson AFB salutes North Carolina and this great community we have the honor of calling home.

Team Seymour plays a vital and continuous role in providing airpower on-target, on-time for America. Always considered the "crown jewel of the Air Force" and the go-to wing of the Air Force by senior leaders, the 4th Fighter Wing continues to carry a significant portion of the workload downrange as we have recently welcomed home nearly 500 of our Airmen from downrange after a 7-month deployment, while we still have 300 Airmen in our thoughts and prayers as they patriotically serve their country.

We are also celebrating and welcoming back this weekend multiple reunions to include previous 4th Fighter Wing Commanders from the past 30 years, National River Rat reunion, 20th anniversary of 4FW's Desert Storm participation, the 334 TFS reunion, a Tuskegee Airmen gathering, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and thanking the USO of North Carolina for 70 years of incredible service.

We have assembled a phenomenal air show for everyone to enjoy with the following headliners; U.S. Air Force's Thunderbirds, U.S. Army's Golden Knights, Tora, Tora, Tora Pearl Harbor re-enactment, F-15E Demonstration Team, and free concerts to include country stars Aaron Tippin on Saturday and Tracy Lawrence on Sunday. In addition to military airpower of the past and present, you'll witness some incredible civilian aircraft acts and get to take a close look at the many aircraft parked on the airfield.

There is something for every family member to enjoy with a huge array of displays and demonstrations. You might need to come out both days to see it all. Thank you for being our guest at the Wings Over Wayne Air Show, please take part in the celebration and make it home safely. Enjoy the show and again thanks--Seymour Johnson Salutes North Carolina!

Meet the Commander

Colonel Patrick Doherty is the 4th Fighter Wing Commander and installation commander of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

He leads one of the largest fighter wings in the United States Air Force, consisting of nearly 5,700 Airmen and civilians and home to the multi-role all-weather F-15E Strike Eagle, providing worldwide, deployable aircraft and personnel capable of executing combat missions with two operational combat-coded squadrons as well as being responsible for all of the Strike Eagle community's training requirements via two training fighter squadrons. The 4th FW flies more than 15,000 sorties and more than 25,000 hours a year. Col. Doherty teams with and provides overall host support for the Air Force Reserve Command's 916th KC-135R wing with an active duty squadron. His command responsibilities oversee wing assets totaling more than $5.1 billion with an annual operations and maintenance budget of $250 million.

Col. Doherty is a command pilot with more than 3,800 flying hours and has led at various levels of command throughout his career. His operational combat experiences include Operation Provide Comfort, Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom with a total of 339 combat hours. He entered the Air Force in 1987 through the Air Force ROTC program at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering.

In addition, Col. Doherty has also completed education programs to include the Master of Science in aerospace management from Embry-Riddle University, Army's Command and General Staff College and School of Advanced Military Studies receiving a Master of Military Art and Science degree from Ft Leavenworth, Kan. He also received a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Navy's Naval War College, Newport, R.I.

Col. Doherty's decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with the Valor Device, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, six Air Medals, three Aerial Achievement Medals, Air Force Combat Action Medal, four Combat Readiness Medals, multiple campaign medals, and the Honorable Order of St. Barbara from the US Field Artillery Association.