Stich, Richard

“On 12 October 1965, then Capt. Dick Stich safely landed a TF-102A after the left windshield burst from the plane at 33,000 feet, partially incapacitating the pilot, Capt. John Hainor.

Though Dick remained with the 175th TFS when it converted to the A-7, “The F-100 chapter did not close when the 175th converted to A-7s in 1977. One of their “Huns,” #55-3754, had flown with the Air Force Thunderbirds from 1964-67.

It was then part of the 175th from 1970-77. After 754, which had been crewed by Vern Pinz, was repainted in its original Thunderbird colors, it made its historic last flight. Piloted by Dick Stich, 754 flew in formation with the Thunderbirds where LtCol Stich turned it over to the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. “A fitting tribute to an old war bird that it should lead the Thunderbirds on its last flight piloted by an old gray warrior who has yet to see war.” (author unknown)

Dick Stich, now a retired Brigadier General, is still an old gray warrior, and 754 remains on display. Other F-100s ended up in the “boneyard” at Davis Monthan AFB, AZ. Years later, during Snowbird exercises, 175th crew chiefs would “visit” their old planes. A few were resurrected to fly again as remote controlled drones.” (source: https://docplayer.net/62699556-175-th-fighter-squadron.html)

Dick Stich flies his T-34 for Legends Over the Colorado air shows and through his non-profit, “Falcon Warbirds” conducts formation flights for veterans’ events in the community, along with “Missing Man Flights.”