US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz made the last flight of his active duty career on 12 July 2012 as he piloted an MC-130E Combat Talon I on a training mission from Hurlburt Field, Florida. The MC-130E he flew (Air Force serial number 64-0568) is assigned to the 919th Special Operations Wing, the Air Force Reserve Command wing at nearby Duke Field. Many of the flight crew on Schwartz’s last flight had either flown with him or served under him during his tours in Special Operations. After landing, Schwartz received a ceremonial hosing down before greeting friends and colleagues. Schwartz piloted this aircraft on a memorable, but arduous, mission in 1982. He retired on 10 August.
