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Brig. Gen. Patrick X. Mordente (right), 86th Airlift Wing commander, takes the 86th AW guidon from Lt. Gen. Craig A. Franklin, 3rd Air Force commander,during a change of command ceremony Monday on Ramstein. Mordente assumed command of the largest wing in Europe from Brig. Gen. C.K. Hyde.
Airmen of the 86th Airlift Wing welcomed a new commander during the change of command ceremony Monday on Ramstein.
Brig. Gen. Patrick X. Mordente assumed command from Brig. Gen. C. K. Hyde in the dual bay hangar while Lt. Gen. Craig A. Franklin, 3rd Air Force commander, officiated the ceremony.
“The Airmen who are going to be under your command here in a few minutes are not only our greatest assets, but they are the heart and soul of USAFE and AFAFRICA,” Franklin said. “They are the future of the greatest Air Force in the world.”
Upon assuming command of the 86th AW, Mordente will be responsible for six groups, 28 squadrons and three different bases in Germany, Spain and Belgium.
“I look forward to building upon the many achievements that the 86th Airlift Wing is known for … I can assure you that our purpose and our efforts at Ramstein will continue to remain on speed and on course,” Mordente said. “We will focus on our people and our mission. We will continue to produce the combat delivery, mobility, contingency response, and cyber capabilities upon which our nation and allies depend.”
Airmen salute while the base honor guard posts the colors during the 86th Airlift Wing change of command ceremony Monday on Ramstein.
Before becoming commander of the 86th AW, Mordente served as deputy director of operations and plans for USTRANSCOM at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., where he was responsible for the planning, coordinating and monitoring of global air, land and sea transportation provided by the command’s three components: Air Mobility Command, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, and Military Sealift Command.
During his last assignment to Ramstein, Mordente served as an instructor pilot and squadron training officer where he participated in operations Provide Promise, Provide Comfort and Provide Transition.
