The Rochelle Municipal Airport – Koritz Field is named after Major Thomas Koritz of Rochelle, IL. Major Koritz began his career on March 1, 1969 while learning to fly at the Rochelle Municipal Airport. He went on to become a flight surgeon and Air Force Fighter Pilot until his F-15 was shot down over Basra, Iraq on January 17, 1991 during the Persian Gulf War. Out of respect for Major Koritz, the City of Rochelle officially re-named our local airport the Rochelle Municipal Airport – Koritz Field.