A command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours including 800 combat hours, General Ritchie (Retired) is our last American Ace. He’s the only Air Force Pilot "Ace" of the Vietnam conflict as well as the Air Force’s first and only pilot ace since the Korean War as well as the only American pilot in history to down five MIG-21s. In 1968, General Ritchie (Retired) served as an F-4 pilot at DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, where he flew the first F-4 Fast Forward Air Controller (FAC) mission in Southeast Asia. In 1969 he completed the F-4 fighter Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nevada and became one of the youngest instructors in the history of the school. General Ritchie (Retired) volunteered for a second tour in Southeast Asia in January 1972 and was assigned to the 432d Tactical Fighter Reconnaissance Wing. He served as Wing Weapons Officer, and it was during this tour that General Ritchie (Retired) scored five MIG-21 victories. As a winner of the Air Force Cross, four Silver Stars, 10 Distinguished flying crosses and 25 Air Medals, General Ritchie (Retired) understands commitment to excellence. This commitment flavors his four programs: Why Not the Best?, The Battle of Ideas, Top Gun Performance and The Cutting Edge.
Brigadier General
