Thorsness Takes Flight in F-16:

July 18, 2006

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

Medal of Honor recipient and US Air Force legend retired Col. Leo Thorsness got to fly the back seat of an F-16 two-ship flying out of Luke AFB, Ariz., recently, reports the Arizona Republic. The base’s 310th Fighter Squadron invited the 74-year-old, who spent six years as a North Vietnamese prisoner of war, to spend a day with the Luke unit. (Read Air Force Magazine’s June 2005 article “Full Day” about Thorsness.)

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

Trending Stories

Beast in the Machine

Air Force Academy Leaders Ousted in Shake Up

F-35s Deploy Closer to Middle East After US Talks with Iran

Raytheon to Radically Boost Production of Air Force’s Main Dogfighting Missile

Related

F-35s Deploy Closer to Middle East After US Talks with Iran

Feb. 9, 2026
More stealthy U.S. fighter jets moved closer to the Middle East on Feb. 9, with a half dozen F–35A Lightning II fifth-generation planes landing at RAF Lakenheath, U.K., after crossing the Atlantic, flight tracking data and air traffic control communications show.

Flying the New T-7: One Squadron Gets Ready

Feb. 9, 2026
The first T-7A trainer jet touched down at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph nearly two months ago to a welcome celebration filled with proclamations about the aircraft's future. Now, for the next 20 months or so 14 pilots and two weapon systems officers with the 99th Flying Training Squadron are mastering the T-7s every idiosyncrasy.

Air Force Academy Leaders Ousted in Shake Up

Feb. 6, 2026
Leadership at the U.S. Air Force Academy is getting an overhaul as both Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind and Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Gavin Marks will retire later this year and a new dean of faculty, Col. James Valpiani, is set to take charge of the instructors.