Help me out here. I am looking for a good gift.

what about a s&w model 15 the USAF issued them as a service revolver or an air force survival knife the one with the sharpening stone pocket on the sheath

Buy an aviation themed magazine at Barnes and Noble. Inside you will find ads for companies that make display model planes. They also sell these at some museum gift shops. They aren't cheap, but they seem to be a favored gift.

How about:
His very own AC-130H GunShip (this is a gun forum - eh?)
They too are being retired and are being replaced by the AC-130J.

Or -- Maybe something else....

What does the guy like? Like to do? Have planned for retirement?
Heck, for some guys a bamboo fly rod is THEE hot ticket - Not so much for others.

My Uncle Mike is USAF ret. He wouldn't even have anyplace to park an AC-130 and he doesn't fish - However, he would really like a decent short wave radio. But I wouldn't have known this without talking to him.

__________________
In dog years I'm dead.

If you can find out what your uncle's duties or assignments were, that might help to narrow down your choices.

If he's a gun guy, how about a set of ivory grips scrimshawed with his outfits logo? Better yet, attach a new shootin' iron to those grips and give him the whole package...

A mail order girl from Russia?