Retired Col. John J. Pitchford, who remained a prisoner of war at the Hanoi Hilton for seven years, died Dec. 2 at age 82. Pitchford flew the F-100F Super Sabre Wild Weasel during the Vietnam War and was shot down on Dec. 20, 1965. The Natchez, Miss., native died following a battle against a brain tumor, reports the Associated Press (via Boston Herald). (Also read The Natchez Democrat report)
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…