History

WORLD: Heritage

Feb. 6, 2026
Gene Smith, Former POW and AFA Chair, Dies at 91 By Tobias Naegele  Lt. Col. Richard “Gene” Smith, who overcame five and a half years as a prisoner of war in the notorious Hanoi Hilton from 1967 until 1973, died...
Leader—Warrior—Scholar. Jimmy Doolittle is perhaps the most recognizable aviator in American history. He was famous throughout the interwar period for his daredevil stunts and racing plane exploits.  Soon after Pearl Harbor he flew the legendary raid on Tokyo, leading a...
Readiness and sustainment are the clear priorities for Air Combat Command boss Gen. Adrian “Elmo” Spain, but the career fighter pilot has three other focuses too: Adapting to the strategic environment, modernizing for the future, and empowering leaders at the operational level.   “If we [have to] go fight,...