Reflecting back on an 18-year friendship, which included operational tours and travelling the world together, Col. Patrick McClelland, 31st Fighter Wing vice commander, was the first to pay tribute.

"Early on, I would have described Kermit as a child in a man's body. His was a gentle nature though, one that was not to be underestimated," Colonel McClelland said. "He was hard working, determined, affable and genuinely sincere...all the time. You only have to look back at his career and count the number of lives he has touched to know this is true."

Brig. Gen. Craig Franklin, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander and former 31st FW commander, passed on words for Colonel McClelland to share. The then Lt. Col. Poné served as the 510th Fighter Squadron commander here under General Franklin.

"Most importantly as the Buzzard's commander, Colonel Poné cared about his Airmen. He was a phenomenal fighter pilot and a phenomenal commander," General Franklin said. "He didn't talk the talk; he walked the walk of a warrior and a leader. We will all miss our friend and comrade in arms."

Other friends paid their respects to the colonel, with his wife, Cheryl Poné, giving the last tribute.

"I don't want to talk too long because Adrian always hated when I talked a lot," said his wife. "He was a man of few words but lots of big actions, of love, generosity and kindness."

Colonel Poné entered the Air Force in 1987 as a graduate of the State University of New York, College at Cortland. Colonel Poné was a command pilot with over 3,500 flying hours in the F-16 Fighting Falcon, T-38 Talon and T-37 Tweet. The colonel served at Aviano as the 31st FW chief of safety from November 2004 to January 2006, and later as the 510th FS/CC May 2006 to February 2008.

Colonel Poné is survived by his wife, his sons, Adrian and Christopher, and his brother Daniel.