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(PK) ratio of eleven percent (11%) when all conditions were well within the performance capabilities of the aircraft and Ritchie was able to produce 100% performance far outside their envelopes.
General Ritchie credits his success to teamwork, good leadership and cooperation between everyone from all branches of the services. It could not have happened without everyone pulling together for a common goal. "I was just the pilot," General Ritchie explained. He went on to say the "Three Ds" (desire, determination & dedication) are what make people successful. Without these, it would be difficult for a person to achieve a goal as there is no focus.
Originally from Reidsville, North Carolina, General Ritchie began his Air Force career as a cadet at the Air Force Academy in the class of 1964. In 1965, he graduated first in his class in undergraduate pilot training at Laredo, Texas. In addition to his role in Vietnam, he has flown the F-104 Starfighter and was one the youngest instructors ever at the Air Force Top Gun F-4 Phantom Fighter Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
After leaving the active-duty Air Force in 1974, General Ritchie has had a distinguished career in the Air Force Reserve. He served in the Colorado Air National Guard and held a variety of positions at Headquarters U.S. Air Force. Currently, he serves as mobilization assistant to the commander of Air Force Recruiting Service located at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.
General Ritchie is a Highly Decorated command pilot with more than 3,000 hours of flight time, including 800 combat hours. Among his decorations are four Silver Stars and ten Distinguished Flying Crosses.
An evening to remember for the members of the Dallas Squadron. Our thanks to a leader, hero and a dynamic roll model, Brigadier General Stephen Ritchie.
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Cpt. Greg Malone More? See links below.
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