By SALINA POST
LINCOLN - A Lincoln man with ties to Salina is the new commander of the Kansas Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
James Ratcliff was elected and installed as the 96th commander of the Kansas VFW on Sunday. He is scheduled to serve in that capacity until June 11, 2023, according to the state VFW office.
Ratcliff told Salina Post that he grew up in Salina and graduated from Salina South High School in 1976.
"I have lived in Lincoln since I retired from the USAF in 1997 and from Longshot Enterprises, Salina, Kansas in 2014. Although I live in Lincoln, I have been a member of VFW Post 6240 in Russell since 2018," Ratcliff noted.
While serving in the United States Air Force, Ratcliff had quite a career.
"I served in the United States Air Force from October 1976 to March 1997, retiring as a MSgt (E-7). During my Air Force career I was an aircraft maintenance technician for 15 years, preforming duties as an Aircraft Crew Chief (F-15s), Maintenance Dock Chief (T-38s), Aircraft Maintenance Controller, USAF Aircraft Maintenance Course Instructor, TCTO Program Manager (A-10s) & Wing Product Improvement Program Branch Chief," he noted in his biography. "I was a faculty member of USAF Community College of the Air Force and a certified Master Instructor. I served one tour as a Student Training Advisor and five assignments as a USAF First Sergeant, finishing my career as First Sergeant, National Air Intelligence Center."
Ratcliff served in multiple locations, including Lackland Air Force Base, Sheppard Air Force Base, Nellis Air Force Base, Laughlin Air Force Base, Bentwaters, United Kingdom, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, and Wright-Patterson, Air Force Base.
Additionally, Ratcliff received the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Defense of Korea Medal.