Jack of Harts

The United States Air Force shooting down Virginian fighters enflamed the fighting in and around the Rockfish Gap. Their air strikes against other Virginians did far more. The Virginia Air National Guard that had remained neutral until that point quickly launched with orders to clear the skies of Virginia’s enemies. Those were not Richmond’s orders, but fewer and fewer Virginians outside the eastern counties still listened to Richmond. The aerial combat proved swift, deadly, and decisive, and Virginians quickly took control of Virginia airspace again. It was a sobering moment for everyone involved in the fighting in the Rockfish Gap.