Pilot Earns 'Final Hosing' for C-130 Flight

By Don Peek
94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Lt. Col. Ricardo "Ricky" Soto was marshaled in as he completed his final flight in the C-130 Hercules on June 20, officially bringing to a close a distinguished career spanning 28 years of service. He was greeted by family, friends and fellow reservists who were poised and ready for his traditional fini-flight hose down.

Soto's final assignment at was chief of the Flight Safety Division, 22nd Air Force, where he was responsible for flight safety assistance, setting policy, and providing guidance for 13 airlift wings and approximately 150 aircraft. His other assignments here have included air operations officer and command post controller, both with the 94th Airlift Wing.

Soto is a civilian pilot with Delta Air Lines and has flown the B-727, L-1011, B-757, B-767 and B-777.

He has more than 11,000 hours of civilian and military flight time.