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 has finished modifying and testing the new VC-25B Bridge aircraft that will serve as a temporary Air Force One, the service announced May 1. All that’s left now is to finish painting the jet before it starts flying this summer.