Sightings: Cessna Citation Mustang "American Patriot"

By Carmelo Turdo

The Cessna Citation Mustang "American Patriot" has made several appearances this year in the St. Louis area.  The aircraft is used in support of the Veterans Airlift Command (VAC), a nonprofit organization that provides free medical and compassionate transportation for wounded veterans and their families through a national network of aircraft owners and pilots. Its priority is to help the veterans of Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan).  This aircraft began flying VAC missions in time for Veterans Day, 2011, and flies several missions per month as needed to support this worthy cause.  For more information on the VAC and "American Patriot," please visit http://www.veteransairlift.org/ and http://www.cessna.com/NewReleases/New/NewReleaseNum-1192359701596.html.

The Aero Experience spoke with Heather Rider, Regional Sales Director, Citation at Cessna Aircraft Company during the Great Plains Air Expo at Spirit of St. Louis Airport about the aircraft:

The aircraft was recently seen again at St. Louis Downtown Airport: