"Ace" is the term bestowed on a military aviator who has accomplished five or more confirmed aerial "kills."
An Ace need not be a "pilot," although they are by far the predominat type. Gunners and "Wizzos" (Weapons Systems Officers) may aslo earn the Ace credential by defeating their enemies in aerial combat.
The Ace moniker is a dying breed today, with fighter combat becoming less and less likely to occur in modern war. High altitude bombing, electronic countermeasures and long range missiles have had the effect of limiting American Ace production to sigle digit numbers since the Vietnam war.
An Ace need not be a "pilot," although they are by far the predominat type. Gunners and "Wizzos" (Weapons Systems Officers) may aslo earn the Ace credential by defeating their enemies in aerial combat.
The Ace moniker is a dying breed today, with fighter combat becoming less and less likely to occur in modern war. High altitude bombing, electronic countermeasures and long range missiles have had the effect of limiting American Ace production to sigle digit numbers since the Vietnam war.
by Paul May 6, 2005
Get the Ace (Noun) mug.