Robin Olds Passes On

Posted By Pinch

Email from my Dad passes on this sad news:

Brigadier General Robin Olds, 1922-2007

Brigadier General Robin Olds, United States Air Force, retired, passed away peacefully, Thursday evening, June 14th, 2007 from congestive heart failure, one month short of his 85th birthday.  He was born in Honolulu on July 14, 1922, the son of Major General Robert and Eloise Olds.

Robin spent his younger years and schooling in Hampton, Virginia and attended West Point, where he was an All American tackle and graduated in 1943 as a 2nd Lieutenant. 

Following graduation from Pilot Training in 1943, General Olds was assigned to the European Theater at the end of WWII where he flew 107 combat missions in the P-38 Lightning and P-51 Mustang.

He shot down 13, enemy aircraft over Europe.  He became a Triple Ace 23 years later during the Viet Nam Conflict when he downed 4 MIGS.  He flew 152 combat missions in the F-4 Phantom while Wing Commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon AFB in Thailand. 

General Olds' exploits as the creator and Mission Commander of Operation Bolo, the most successful aerial battle of the Vietnam conflict, has been documented in the recent History Channel Dogfights Special series, entitled "Air Ambush".

General Robin Olds served his country in assignments to England, Germany, Thailand and the United States, in positions of Squadron, Base, Group, and Wing Commander with assignments to Headquarters US Air Force and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 

He was assigned to the first jet P-80 squadron in 1946; was a member of the first jet Aerial Acrobatic Demonstration Team, won second place in the Thompson Trophy Race, jet Division, in Cleveland, 1946, and participated in the first dawn to dusk transcontinental round trip flight.  He was a Squadron commander of Royal Air Force Fighter Squadron # 1 in Sussex during an exchange tour in 1948.

General Olds' military decorations include the Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with 5 oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 39 Oak Leaf Clusters, British Distinguished Flying Cross, French Croix de Guerre, Vietnam Air Force Distinguished Service Order, Vietnam Air Gallantry Medal with Gold Wings, Vietnam Air Service Medal. 

After his duty in Vietnam, General Olds was named Commandant of Cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy 1967-1971.  His last assignment before retiring from the Air Force was Director of Safety for the U.S. Air Force.

Up to a few months prior to his illness, Robin was frequently called upon as guest speaker and lecturer for his inspirational and motivational talks and he traveled all over the world speaking to military and civilian groups alike. General Olds was previously married to Ella Raines, who died in 1988, and then to Morgan Olds.

General Olds is survived by two daughters, Christina Olds of Vail, CO and Susan Scott-Risner of North Bend, WA; one granddaughter, Jennifer Newman of Santa Monica, CA. and half-brother, Fred Olds of Virginia.  He died peacefully at his home in Steamboat   Springs, Colorado, in the company of family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at the U.S. Air Force Academy within the next two weeks. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association towards scholarships for the children, or to assist the spouses, of Armed Forces aircrew members killed or missing in action.

Robin's family has asked for any re-communication of this detail, to include the family's request for privacy at this time.  I will keep you all informed as to final arrangements when formalized. 

Godspeed to a more than fine leader.

Your six is clear, General!  Have a safe trip...a grateful nation thanks you for your service.

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» Robin Olds Flies On: from Pajamas Media
Legendary fighter pilot Robin Olds dies at 85. "He shot down 13 enemy aircraft over Europe. He became a Triple Ace 23 years later during the Viet Nam Conflict when he downed 4 MIGs and commanded the famous Operation Bolo... [Read More]

Comments

[rgrmom82]

What an incredible career. Thank you sir and God Bless.

[Mike the Marine]

Robin Olds is one of those names that sadly isn't know far or wide enough. He's up there with the greats like Pappy Boyington, Dick Bong, & Chuck Yeager, who are sadly called "warmongers" by punk-ass college kids today instead of heroes... if they're remembered at all.

God speed, General. I hope the club is packed and the beer is cold.

[bthun]

Another great man has gone ahead to prepare the way.

My respects to Brigadier General Robin Olds and his family.

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds...and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of...wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew.

And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

[Lt Col Patrick]

General Olds will be dearly missed, but never forgotten by those of us who have followed him in the USAF.

"The truth is you never do get used to the SAM's; I had about two hundred fifty shot at me and the last one was as inspiring as the first. Sure I got cagey, and I was able to wait longer and longer, but I never got overconfident. I mean, if you're one or two seconds too slow, you've had the schnitzel."

— General Robin Olds, USAF

Him, him.

Patrick

[Marine6]

We've lost one of the last of the old time gunslingers. And I'll bet that the first one to know was Saint Peter when the Marines standing guard at the Main Gate sounded off:

STAND BY FOR A FIGHTER PILOT!

[mindy abraham]

How sad :(:( At least he lived a full life-thanks for him and all vets.

[Teresa]

Thank you General and Godspeed.

[Glenn M. Cassel, AMH1(AW), USN, RET]

I read about Colonel Olds as a junior high kid in Montana.
He was one of those we considered heroes back then, along with the likes of Glenn, McGuire, O'Hare, Rickenbacker, Luke, et al. For the current generation, maybe some required reading is in order? Nah, we couldn't be that lucky.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, General.

[NH Trooper]

God Bless him and the Air Force. We should all life such a full and valorous life.

[Joe Bernosky]

Bravo Zulu Sir.

[Richard Romano]

Rest well, brave soldier.

[Bill]

Awww man I saw this guy on the recent Dogfights series. I was mesmerized by his incredible exploits as an aviator. Sadly, we are losing too many good men like this gentlemen. I just hope there will be more to replace him in the future. Godspeed sir!

[rick554]

God has his Wingman back . Off We Go Sir!!
REDHORSE

[Old Tanker]

Robin Olds is one of those names that sadly isn't know far or wide enough.

Mike the Marine, how very true. The first I ever heard about him was the Dogfight series. What a shame their aren't more shows like it.

Godspeed General Olds.

[Chuck]

A man's man. Clear skies and a steady tailwind, Sir.

[MOGS]

Well, here's one intel weenie who knows what to do:

Head on over to the Nellis AFB O-Club and ask for a big old shot of Jeremiah Weed.

[vet66]

Robin Olds left a legacy that will provide inspiration to the men and women who will study his exploits and heroism in perpetuity.

As long as he is remembered in the hearts of patriots, warriors, and Americans, he will still be flying somewhere just out of sight.

GOD SPEED General Olds!

[JihadGene]

You're good to go, Sir! You made a big difference down here, and thank you.

[arch]

That is a remarkable photograph. The man was a great fighter pilot and a great leader. He had 17 kills he claimed and probably some others he didn't.

As I mentioned when you announced that the General was ill, I met him in 1972 at DaNang, where he was conducting a safety inspection. Of course what he was really doing was flying combat missions up North.

The big guy on Olds' left was Col Chappie James, the Deputy Commander for Operations of the 8th Tac Fighter Wing at Ubon. He also lead Bolo missions North. A Tuskegee airman, Chappie retired as the first black US military 4-star general. At the club later that day, Olds and James got into a little friendly wrestling match, and Chappie picked Olds up and dented the dry wall with the wing commander's ass. The dent was still there when I stopped at Ubon in 1971.

The other pilot under General Old's arm looks like my old IP at George AFB CA.

[larry746]

How cool a picture is that? "Blackman and Robin" standing together. I think that picture was taken when they returned from BOLO...any chance it can be re-posted with Chappy James not being partially cropped out? I gotta have that as my wallpaper.

Was it on B5 a few weeks ago that a post told of the story of Col. Olds when he arrived for in-processing at Ubon late in the day and was told to come back the next day? I hope St. Peter doesn't try anything like that.

Your six is clear, General, go rest easy.

Stand down, General

[FL Mom]

Oh no! I'd hoped he was all better after his previous tangle. :(
Thank you, General, and may God comfort your family.

[qualityhardware]

I'll bet he flew to heaven in a Double Ugly - with full afterburner. ; )

Godspeed General!

[hk]

He's up there with the greats like Pappy Boyington, Dick Bong, & Chuck Yeager,...

FYI, Chuck Yeager is still alive.

I first heard about Robin Olds in this article that I happened upon by chance:
http://www2.steamboatpilot.com/news/2002/jan/23/retired_general_put/

After I saw the Dogfight episode on Operation Bolo, I recalled the article and connected the man with the legend.

Hard-charging, hard-drinking, ass kickers like him are the stuff legends are made of. Unfortunately, they're a dying breed nowadays. RIP.

[Anthony]

Damn. We're losing our warriors when need them most! My father-in-law, (retired USAF), and I will be toasting his memory tomorrow night when we get together for Father's Day.

[Bill Faith]

Maybe someone who remembers more of the story than I do (Arch?) can fill the rest of us in on the Ambush story. IIRC correctly from years back ('68) it had something to do with fooling the North Vietnamese into thinking a flight of F-4s was an F-105 flight. Am I close?

[rgrmom82]

Bthun, that is one of my favorite pieces of poetry. A fine homage.

Please take a moment all to pray for the pilot we lost yesterday/ 180th Fighter wing, I believe. I think in Basrah. Remember him as well as all the others on this Fathers Day.

[Tantor]

You can see Colonel Olds' jet in the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio: an F-4 loaded for bear.

There was a story about Olds at the Air Force Academy that was part of cadet lore. One day, Commandant of Cadets General Robin Olds was out walking around the academy when he saw a cadet out of uniform. He called out the cadet to stop. The cadet froze for a second, then took off running back into the dorm. General Olds gave chase, running into the dorm after him. He followed him down a couple halls, but the cadet must have dodged into somebody's room. Olds lost him.

However, he knew from where he ran what cadet squadron he was in. The next day, when the cadet wing formed up to march to lunch, Olds went to the running cadet's squadron and demanded that the guilty man come forward. What with the honor code and all, the cadet stepped forward, expecting to lose his privileges and be marching tours until he graduated.

Olds said what he did was great. He didn't believe in following the rules blindly so that you screwed yourself. He thought running to escape the threat was much better than what the typical conformist cadet would have done, just given up. Olds was jazzed that a cadet would do that to a general. He gave the whole squadron weekend leave.

[hk]

"...it (Air Ambush story/Operation Bolo) had something to do with fooling the North Vietnamese into thinking a flight of F-4s was an F-105 flight. Am I close?"

Bingo! You recalled correctly! Then Colonel Olds and his flight of 4 phantoms from Wolfpack squadron pull off the biggest single aerial engagement -- and bait-and-switch -- of the Vietnam War.

You can see the crusty General tell the story himself in this History Channel "Dogfight" Air Ambush episode (in five parts):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEKVcljn1fk

[Dean]

Gen Olds was the Fighter Pilot all Fighter Pilots aspired to be and the Fighter Pilot all Crew Chiefs wish would fly thier jet.
Godspeed Gen. Olds and Sierra Hotel on everything you did

[Brad O'Brien]

God bless this man and his contributions to the defense of our nation!
Bravo Zulu Sir.. your 6 is now clear!
Out

[Drew]

Highly recommend watching the YouTube posting -

I howled in laughter listening to Col. Olds explain how the side-winder missile growls to you when it locks on a target. I am glad the History Channel brought these people to light in their Dog Fight series.

God bless him!

[arch]

The History Channel videos paint the picture of Robin Olds, the man. He was a professional, a leader and consumate operational fighter pilot. In part 2 there is an incredible simulation of 22 year old Captain Olds taking on 50 ME109s with a two ship of P38s. As he was pulling into guns range, both his engines quit. Does he disengage and get a restart? No! He shoots the guy down first, then restarts and re-enters the fight.

The F4 graphics are VERY realistic. To get the full effect, however, watch them while wearing a Nomex flight suit sitting in a 140° sauna. The F4's air conditioning system sucked.

Several times the narrator refers to the F105 as "slow." Thuds are very fast; their max-Q is higher than the F4.

There were a few interesting things about Bolo. The ECM pods were a brilliant idea. It is also unusual that the North Vietnamese would use Migs and SAMs. Typically, you saw either SAMs and AAA or Migs.

[SCREAMING EAGLE]

And unfortunatly these mind numed zombies turned out of these worthless schools dont know who is is unless he appeared on THE SIMPSONS and BOYINGTON had 28 and JOE FOSS had 26 and americas highists scoring ace RICHARD BONG had 40

[Bob "the RhinoKeeper"]

A class act, I am truely sorry to hear of his passing, remember him well, he will be missed.

[Tom]

I had a friend who worked in combat ops at Ubon. He was on duty when Robin Olds came back from the mission in which he failed to get his fifth mig because his air to air missile failed to fire. He said that Col Olds came into combat ops,picked up the phone and called Saigon. He said that it was the only time in his life that he heard a bird colonel chew out a 4-star general. Shortly thereafter, gun pods which could be hung on the F-4 were made available.

[arch]

Tom:

Olds was not an early supporter of the gun pod. In May, he and General Momyer attended a briefing by Col "Boots" Blesse, the 366TFW/CC. Blesse was trying to sell the pod as a close air support weapon. My guess is that Olds wanted the F4E configuration with a 20 mm canon in the nose.

More happened than adding SUU-16s. PACAF had a weapons systems problem with the F4. The AIM-7 Sparrow radar missiles were deadly when everything worked - fire control radar, missile, sight, CW transmitter. AIM-9 Sidewinders IR missiles were shorter range and required a stern aspect shot. With an emphasis on ground attack, aircrews were not using the radar and missile systems. If you don't exercise systems, missile shops and avionics shops can't keeping them operational.

In 1968, 7th AF activated the 1st Test Sq to conduct a weapon systems evaluation program (WSEP) called Combat Sage. Located at Clark AB, RP, 4 F4s and their crews depolyed to Sage every week to shoot an Aim 7 and an Aim 9 at BQM34A Ryan Firebee target drones. It helped.

[Pat]

One hell of a Wing commander, I was in Ubon in 67. God Bless Robin Olds

[PJ]

Tail Winds and clear skies Gen.

Rumor has it that General Olds did get more then 4 MiGs in SEA. Hear Tell, if he was cedited with his 5th, he would have been called state side and out of combat. Story is the General credited any further victories to another Pilot.

Anyone hear any details?

[Scott Talman]

I wish I could have met you, you are and always will be my mentor and the snippets of your life I have read in books and seen on film will be with me all my life. Here is my favourite quote,

I think it is the love of that blue vault of sky that becomes your play ground if and only if you are fighter pilot. You dont understand if you fly from A to B in straight and level and mearly climb and descend, you are moving through the basement of that vault of blue, A fighter pilot is a man in love with flying, a fighter pilot sees not a cloud but beauty, not the ground but something remote from him something that he doesnt belong to as long as he is airborne, he is a man who wants to be second to no one.

You will never be gone, you are in every true pilots heart, a real leader.

Keep the Blue Side Up.

Your Aussie Co-pilot........Always

[Jim Baumann]

Robin Olds,
A Hero to me, and an inspiration to others...

"Here's a nickel on the grass to you, my friend, and to your spirit, enthusiasm, sacrifice and courage - but most of all to your friendship. Your's is a dying breed and when you are gone, the world will be a lesser place."

A final, reverent, Salute to you Sir...

[Frank Lakat]

Thank you General Olds for your service to a greatful country. Thanks also to the producers of "Dogfights" - "Air Ambush" on the history channel, I feel like I had met the General after repeated viewings of the program. Thanks also to the prior posters on thsi site, MikeUSMC, Mr. Cassel, NH Trooper, R. Romano, Mr. Berosky & Jihad Gene & others for your reverence & eloquence, you have all said what I felt better than I could. God Speed General, we'll see you in another life. Frank Lakat Brooklyn, New York United States of America

[Anarchus]

I was more than a few years to late to see it, but according to Academy lore when Olds was leaving USAFA he signed off at his last address to the cadet wing at lunch formation in Mitchell Hall by saying, "Well, I'll see all you fu*kers later". Got in his traditional hot water for that one, reportedly.

[lt.col. Dwight Hunt]

I will miss you General.A great American ,a great patriot and a great friend.

[Danny]

When I was growing up, kids my age looked up to baseball or football players or whatever. My hero growing up was and still is Robin Olds. Rest in peace Sir.

[Scott Creange]

I had the distinct honor of meeting Robin in Steamboat a few years back, by buying him and his friend a few rounds at the 'ol Yacht Club. He invited me back to his house, where we shared some wine and he spun tales of the wars he served in. I could have sat there for days listening to this living legend. My grandfather being a full bird tank commander in North Africa, being in Robins' presence ment alot to me. What a great man, I miss him already. Rest in peace, General.

[JRM]

I knew Robin well. Truly an american hero of a rare kind. He loved life and America and was never afraid to show it. Fly High Robin God Bless You.

[Neil T. Robertson 3]

I think my favorite image from the Viet Nam-era "in country" portfolio would have to be a black & white tarmac photo of then-Col. Olds with, I believe his F-4 rear-seat "WSO" Col. Driskill, grinning and "flipping the bird" ("keeping up foreign relations" in the words of Goose and Mavrick) to the camera, still in full G-suit ans survival vest immediately after completing yet another sortie with a confirmed MIG-kill.

That is what all fighter pilots should be like! 44-yearold Bird Col. WW II ace who is back at it 25 years later and still kickin bogies asses and takin names.

God Speed General Olds!

[Tom Taylor]

I had the pleasure of serving under then Col. Olds at Ubon. I flew with him many times in the two Goony Birds we had in base flight. I had the pleasure of holding the "honey bucket" seat over Chappie's face as Col. Olds took a picture.(I do not know what happened to that picture). What a man, what a gentleman and what a pilot. I shall miss him dearly.
May God care for him forever.

[Uncle Al]

Gen Olds - sorry I never met you. A fighter pilots Hero, from the stories that I have heard. We will all rendevous with you soon enough.

[James Lavender]

The USA has lost a great man. I served in Vietnam and we would have won that war if General Olds was in charge. When I look at the present leaders of our country of both parties, they do not measure up to spit compared to men like Robin Olds. This loss hurts. Thank you general for fighting for us, inspiring us, and keeping us safe. God Bless you always and the hell with Ted Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, George Bush and the lot of them.

[Brill Brandt]

Robin Olds was a fighter pilot's fighter pilot. God Speed, Sir, and job well done.

It wouldn't surprise me if now he is having some laughs with some of his old German, Vietnamese and maybe Russian victims.

[duke steinken]

I AM A MARINE WHO FLEW IN THE F4 TWO TOURS IN NAM. WE IN THE MARINE F4 COMMUNITY HAD A GREAT RESPECT FOR ROBIN OLDS AS A TACTICIAN AND LEADER. HE WAS THE PURE WARRIOR.
DUKE

[Flare Kuecker]

Col Olds (Ubon - 1967) perhaps had a greater impact on his leadership qualities on the ground than has been recorded in the air. The Col had a unwritten policy for all his officer personnel that I had not witnessed anywhere.
In Ubon, the quarters for all the personnel were located a sizable distant from the runways (airfield). The accepted means of transportation was walking. Whenever anyone from his officer contingent was driving to the airfield, they would stop and pickup any personnel that was walking (awesome)! I had the opportunity of more than once being picked up by Col Olds and driven to the flight line (our mission - Blind Bat & Lmaplighter).
On behalf of the Blind bat and Lamplighter missions - we salute you for your remarkable leadership qualities.
Regards,
Flare Kuecker