Retired Air Force Col. Maurice A. Rondeau, 90, died Nov. 12 of complications from open heart surgery, reports the Press Telegram. Rondeau began his career as an aviation cadet in World War II and served in two more wars and as a test pilot. Before his retirement in 1970, he piloted Air Force One for Presidents Johnson and Nixon.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.
