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December
1999

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HAAC’s Speaker for Monday, December 6, 1999, was Brigadier General Steve Ritchie.

Steve Ritchie is the only Air Force pilot ace since the Korean War. 1997 marks the 25th Anniversary of this unique achievement. During Southeast Asia combat in 1972, then Captain Ritchie became the only American pilot in history to down five MiG-21s, a record that has yet to be equaled. His decorations include the Air Force Cross (our nation's second highest award), 4 Silver Stars, 10 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 25 Air Medals. He has more than 3,000 hours of fighter time, including 800 combat hours in the F-4 Phantom during 339 missions. Originally from Reidsville, North Carolina, General Ritchie began his Air Force career as a cadet at the Air Force Academy in the class of 1964 and was a starting halfback for the Falcons in the 1963 Gator Bowl. In 1965, he graduated first in undergraduate pilot training at Laredo, Texas. He has flown the T-37, T-33, T-38, F-104, F-100, F-4, F-15, F-16, and was one of the youngest instructors ever at the Air Force "Top Gun" Fighter Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. General Ritchie left the active-duty Air Force in 1974 to run for the U.S. Congress, but continued to serve in the Air Force Reserves. He held important positions in the Colorado Air National Guard and Air Force Headquarters. The general currently serves as a mobilization assistant at Air Education and Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. General Ritchie has also utilized the educational and other opportunities he received in the Air Force to build a successful civilian career. He ran for the U. S. Congress from the state of North Carolina, and he has held various executive positions with civilian corporations. He was Director of the Office of Child Support Enforcement at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington D.C., and currently is president of his own company.

General Ritchie operates the only flying civilian F4 Phantom in the world, which is owned and maintained by the Collings Foundation. Steve and the Phantom wowed the crowd at the Power of Houston, and they were also a featured attraction at HobbyFest '99. The Phantom is based at Ellington Field, and we hope to see more of both the Phantom and Steve as they and the Collings Foundation preserve this important page of our history.

General Ritchie shared many of his experiences with HAAC, and put on a truly magnificent presentation that was thoroughly enjoyed by all who were present. Steve had a great message that could be of great benefit to everyone. In fact, HAAC is looking forward to having General Ritchie as a guest speaker again in 2000, perhaps close to HobbyFest 2000.

Also See our November 1999 pictures

Visit our HobbyFest '99 page

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