The National Aviation Hall of Fame last month inducted famed Flying Tiger Brig. Gen. David “Tex” Hill and test pilot Maj. Gen. Robert M. White to its list of aviation legends. Hill flew with the Flying Tigers in China in World War II, becoming a leading ace, and continued as commander of the 23rd Fighter Group. He left active duty for the Texas Air National Guard in 1946, becoming the youngest one-star general in Guard history. (Read “Tex” from July 2002.) White is best known for his record-setting exploits as test pilot for the X-15, but he also flew in three wars. (Read “Valor: A Place Called the Doumer Bridge,” from February 1988.) The two other inductees in 2006 are Bessie Coleman, the first American civilian of color to earn a pilot’s license, and actor Cliff Robertson for advocacy of aviation.
Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held meetings with defense leaders from the Philippines, Japan, and South Korea during a trip to the Indo-Pacific this week.