Taking the final flight
By Joey Pitchford
Published in News on June 17, 2016 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Col. Mark Slocum kisses his wife, Xavi, as she showers him with champagne after his final flight as the commander of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Thursday. Slocum will pass the guidon to Col. Christopher Sage on June 30.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Col. Mark Slocum puts on his helmet while preparing to take off. Thursday's flight could be the last of his career.
It was a fond farewell for a beloved commander.
A large audience gathered on the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base flight line Thursday afternoon to celebrate Col. Mark Slocum's final flight before the base changes command later this month.
The flight is likely to be Slocum's last time in the pilot's seat, period. Once he arrives at his new home in England, Slocum will assume the rank of brigadier general, a position which is not likely to include flight time of any kind.
After getting a pre-flight briefing on weather conditions along his southern route, Slocum donned his helmet and flight suit. For a man who has logged over 2,700 hours of flight time, 925 of those in combat, suiting up for the last time was a bittersweet experience.
"It's mixed emotions when you take your last flight, but when you look at these warriors who are going to keep this machine running, you know the Air Force is in good hands," he said.
Walking to the flight line, Slocum said that his thoughts have occasionally turned to the past. Though he has spent more than 20 years in the Air Force, Slocum said that he would have no hesitation to do it again.
"This career is so rewarding and so dynamic, and it goes by way too quickly," he said. "I would start it over in a heartbeat."
On the flight line, Slocum spoke with his crew before climbing in to the "Spirit of Goldsboro," the flagship of the 4th Fighter Wing and the jet reserved for the base commander. Joining him in the cockpit was Maj. Michael Shields, the 4th Fighter Wing executive officer. After a thorough inspection of the aircraft, the two taxied to the far end of the runway to get ready for takeoff.
When the time to go airborne came at around noon, Slocum didn't waste it. Almost immediately after lifting off the ground, he turned the jet skyward and rocketed in to the clouds in a near-vertical climb. Within moments the Spirit of Goldsboro was a speck on the horizon.
To those standing by, it seemed like Slocum had decided that if this was to be his last flight, he may as well have some fun with it.
When Slocum took off, he was accompanied only by his flight crew and a few members of base public affairs. It looked, by all accounts, to be a fairly small ceremony. Unbeknownst to him, base public affairs had sent an email to every single person on the base inviting them to be present when Slocum landed. By the time he returned at around 1:30 p.m., hundreds had gathered on the flight line to welcome him back.
Slocum said that seeing the gathered crowd as he flew in caught him off guard.
"That was really a surprise, to see that many people out here both from the base and the community," he said. "When I saw all these people out here, it makes you humble."
Exiting the plane via the boarding ladder which drops down from the left side of the fuselage, Slocum was immediately met by his two children, each armed with pressurized water containers which they gleefully sprayed their dad with.
Through it all, Slocum simply laughed as he tried to give his son a soaking wet hug. Even after having champagne poured on his head (and down his shirt) Slocum was nothing but smiles. He kissed his wife, Xavi, and posed for pictures before shaking hands with anyone and everyone who wanted to speak with him.
Even after the crowd had dispersed, Slocum was still there. After everyone else had gone home, he went back to the jet to speak with his crew. Staff Sgt. Chuck Broadway, with public affairs, said that this was par for the course with Slocum.
"That man hasn't slept in two years. He'd be out here at two, three in the morning just talking to people," he said. "There's not a lot like him."