Ep 7. The Last Gunfighter

During World War II, air warfare became crucial for both the Allied and Axis powers. Dogfights, a television program on the History Channel, examines key moments in air combat history. In season one, episode seven, entitled "The Last Gunfighter," viewers are taken back to Vietnam in 1972.

The episode begins by providing some background on the Vietnam War, including the fact that there were more U.S. air missions flown during this conflict than in all of World War II. It then introduces one of the men featured in the episode, USAF Captain Richard "Steve" Ritchie. The program explains that Ritchie is one of only two pilots in U.S. history to be awarded the Air Force Cross, the nation's second-highest military decoration.

Ritchie was an F-4 Phantom fighter pilot during the Vietnam War, and his main mission was to intercept enemy aircraft over North Vietnam. The episode describes Ritchie as the "last of the gunfighters" because he was one of the few U.S. pilots who were still using guns to shoot down enemy planes, rather than relying solely on missiles. This was risky because it meant that he had to get much closer to the enemy in order to get a shot at them.

The episode then gives some context to the air combat situation in Vietnam during the early 1970s. The U.S. had been fighting in Vietnam for more than seven years by this point, and many Americans were growing tired of the war. The Nixon administration was looking for a way to end the conflict, and so in 1972 they launched a massive aerial campaign against North Vietnam. This was called Operation Linebacker II, and its goal was to force the North Vietnamese to negotiate a peace treaty.

Ritchie was involved in this operation, and the episode goes on to describe his experiences during a critical mission on September 9, 1972. He and his wingman, Captain Charles B. DeBellevue, were flying over North Vietnam when they encountered a group of enemy MiG-21 fighter jets. The two U.S. pilots engaged the enemy planes, and a rare dogfight ensued. The U.S. was not used to these kinds of events happening anymore, as most enemy planes had been shot down earlier with missiles.

The episode uses archival footage, dramatic reenactments, and expert analysis to provide a clear and detailed account of what happened during the dogfight. It also shows interviews with Ritchie and other pilots who were involved in the mission. The tension and danger of the situation are palpable as the pilots maneuver their planes in a frantic dance in the sky, looking for the perfect opportunity to take a shot at their enemies.

As the dogfight progresses, the episode does an excellent job of explaining what's happening and why. Viewers can see how the U.S. pilots were trying to outsmart the North Vietnamese by using certain maneuvers and tactics. They can also see how Ritchie's reliance on his guns gave him an advantage in some situations, but left him vulnerable in others.

The episode also shows how the dogfight came to a dramatic conclusion. In the end, Ritchie and DeBellevue managed to shoot down two enemy MiGs, making them both aces in a single mission. This was an incredible feat, and it was a turning point in the air campaign over Vietnam.

Overall, "The Last Gunfighter" is a thrilling and informative episode of Dogfights. It provides a detailed look at one of the most exciting moments in air combat history, while also giving viewers some important context about the Vietnam War and the tactics used by U.S. pilots. The episode also pays tribute to the bravery and skill of men like Ritchie and DeBellevue, who risked their lives to defend their country.