Former Air Force One Pilot For President Nixon

ANN has learned of the passing of Air Force Col. Ralph Albertazzie (Ret.), who passed away at his home in Berkley County, WV. Col. Albertazzie had been the pilot of Air Force One during the Nixon administration.

The Associated Press reports that Col. Albertazzie had been assigned as the pilot for Air Force One shortly after Nixon was inaugurated in 1969. The aircraft was a modified Boeing 707-120 carrying the designation VC-137B. He flew President Nixon on several of his historic trips which are credited with opening up China. He was also the pilot who flew Nixon back to California following his resignation.

Albertazzie's interest in aviation came at an early age. He said in an interview in 2003 that as a young man he had hitchhiked to an airport near Morgantown, WV, and washed airplanes in exchange for flying lessons. He had served in the Army Air Corps in WWII, as well as flying during the Korean and Vietnam wars. After retiring from the Air Force, he returned to West Virginia and served as the state's commerce commissioner.

Albertazzie was also an author, having written two books inspired by his job in the front office of Air Force One; a novel "Hostage One," and "The Flying White House: The Story of Air Force One," a work of non-fiction.

Funeral arrangements for Col. Albertazzie are pending.

FMI: www.museumofflight.org/aircraft/boeing-vc-137b-707-120sam-970-air-force-one