Robin Olds: The Total Fighter Pilot Package
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In this episode Ward reviews the life and times of legendary triple ace Robin Olds.
Great video. Robin Olds and Chappie James flew my F4C at Davis Monthan 4453rd CCTW. I loved both of these men. I actualy kept close contact with Gen. OLDS thru E mails right up to his passing. Gen James was my Wing Comander st DM and one Sunday when he was driving his staff car down the flight line it was a down day for everyone and I had nothing to do so I went to work on my jet and he spotted me. He stopped his car and yelled Sgt what are you doing on your day off. I said sir I'm changing a tire on my jet to get it ready for tomorows flight. He got out of his car and stayed with me to watch me change that wheel and tire. That next month I was awarded the distinction of being Crew Chief Of The Month.
Your lucky you got that F4 back in semi-working order with those two flying it.
@@danlangowski929 I'll never forget strapping Col. JAMES in the ejection seat he was a big man and he couldn't move around too much to reach the shoulder harneses and he said to me son I am probably the biggest black ass you have ever helped strap into this seat. He was such an easy person to speak too. When I found out he passed shortly after he retired I felt real bad.
@@rayritchotte7608 Thanks for sharing those stories Ray, highly appreciated.
Great stories gents. Thanks for sharinf
LUCKY A** CREW CHIEF!!! I’m Jealous now. Lol. ( I did my A-10 FTD at DM AFB in the 90’s after crewing a 135 for 4 years) … it’s nice to have a Wing King that is a BEEN THERE DONE THAT Officer. They know WHO the Crew Chiefs are
Thank you!!!!! Robin Olds was my uncle, my father, Stevan Olds, was his brother. I miss him, and this was, by far, the best video I have ever seen done on Robin!❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you; love you all!!!
I've been fascinated with the mystique of Robin Olds.
@@owensweetland342 Robin Olds: My Favorite Fighter Ace of WWII (Europe) and S. E. Asia (Vietnam), Steven L. Cassel (Reese Airport Selma, Indiana 🇺🇸)
Are you Brads’ twin sister? Friend of Brads’..
@@SeanCrowley1 no, cousin… I used to babysit Brad!!😌
Robin Olds's mustache had bigger balls than I ever will.
And more intelligence than ALL of DC
@@johnh1353in loving memory of. besides admiration for others similar
If they haven’t already; they need to make a big budget movie of Gen. Old’s life with his dream being the end of the movie… amazing story!
That would be an amazing movie
I'm pretty sure I suggested the same thing when I watched this video a year ago when it first came out. Such a good subject that I'm watching it again in May of 2024!
@@s.marcus3669there you go, Mooch! A huge project for you. Maverick’s got nothing on Olds! 😅
Nah, Hellywood's never got one right yet.
Robin Olds"s mustache alone has 12 confirmed kills.
😂😂😂😂😂
Gold sir..gold.
I'm 73 years old, and have heard General Robin Olds story many times before, this time I felt a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye.
I'm British and never heard or Olds. This tribute was eloquent, respectful, brilliantly reserarched and delivered with fluency and directness. What comes across is not just Olds, but your own values, which are immensely important and in short supply. Thank you.
See History channel dog fights episode for more on col.olds...
Hugh, Brit here too. You should buy a copy of 'Fighter Pilot'. The book is a fantastic read and is the autobiography written by Olds and his daughter shortly before he passed.
@@tommycoombs thanks. I will do that
Very well stated.
Yep. Robin Olds was quite the man
As enlisted Air Force, we should've been taught about this incredible man.
Same reason they didn’t teach us about Col. John Boyd. His biography “Boyd” will make you proud and piss you off all at once.
@@damiangrouse4564 Hell yeah.
As American citizens we should be taught about this incredible man
@@damiangrouse4564
Let me guess.
While he was a smart man.
He wasn't exactly a combat experienced Pilot, with his only deployment being in Korea
where he didn't have an Air-to-air kill.
Also, I will say this John Boyd and his fighter Mafia Buddies don't strike me as mavericks, if anything they are deeply conservative people in the way how they see combat.
Thinking that the next war will be fought like the previous war.
@@marseldagistani1989 read the book…the reason we have F-16 and F-15 back then and F-22, F35 now with most models carrying guns since is due to Col. Boyd.
Ps. I was enlisted and have an educated low opinion of good portion of the officers I met…but everything I’ve read about this two gentlemen gives me hope that there will always be people like this to defend this country.
When I was in Steamboat, I worked on General Robin's skis. We met by complimenting each other's Air Force headqear and there it went for about five years. Chairlift rides were ACM seminars, tactical aviation, the whole nine yards. Just a great person to know, a great brain to pick. Lucky me.
Amazing experience.
I figured that out pretty quick. I already knew "aviationese" from my Dad (ADC) so we could understand each other right away. Never flew with him, but did "ski formation" lots of times. Even on snow, the wingman is busy.
@@WardCarroll Great story as usual. Strange that he disparaged Cunningham in his bio. Was that before or after Cunningham's congressional scandal?
@@davidsmith8997 pretty sure that was tongue-in-cheek and more of an Air Force guy refusing to give a Navy guy a compliment.
I recognized the great man in a hotel bar in Steamboat twenty years ago, and always regret not taking the opportunity to shake his hand and tell him how much I admired him.
📖 Chapter 1: "… and Robin didn't like that very much so he…"
Chapter 2: "… and Robin didn't like that very much so he…"
Chapter 3: "… and Robin didn't like that very much so he…"
🎖Now that's a Maverick!
Thank you for your service - and expedience of mission! 🙏
I can tell you are a good listener
Everything gov is up hill battle where the hell are you from?
I'm in tears listening to this fighters life engagements, this guy this is what the true definition of a hero and a true American is all about
Chappy died way to early in life... 58 years old... and made it to 4 Star General. Definitely was a very accomplished man to look up to
Did you not even watch the video? He's talking about Chappie James, his buddy who died in the 70s. @@Ash-iv7el
@@Ash-iv7el I am sorry to tell you this but Chappy died at the age of 58. You can look it up.
Somebody here is lysdexic.
Chappie did only live to be 58. Daniel James Jr.
My Robin Olds story: My Dad flew F-4's in Vietnam, after Robin had left in 67. My dad would tell me stories about Col. Olds and his triple Ace status, of course, made him a legend. I was finally able to meet him in 1986 at a fly in that my dads unit put on every year. He was so willing to talk to me and tell me stories about flying and his favorite airplane the Mustang. He chatted with us for hours. The entire time making time to sign things for people and take photos. He was a very humble man and my Dad and Olds along with 3 other veterans would sing Irish folk songs for hours...lol. I have good memories of my time with Robin Olds.
Great story. Reminds me of meeting a boyhood NHL hockey player a few years ago. Was just excited as I was to talk about old hockey stories
@@andrewpizzino2514 Do they drop bombs at NHL games now and use live ammo?
@@blueocean-me1ns ???
Being a warrior pilot is a form of athletics and in the example I gave they both perform at high-level. So I’m not gonna understand your statement
@@andrewpizzino2514 Form of athletics? LOL! I didn't realize in athletics you bombed people?
I was a student in that audience that he "flipped" off that evening at the Academy. He had been matter-of-factly sharing his autobiography and just finished commenting that he couldn't recall his time as a Major between Capt and Lt Col. To that, the cadet wing began whistling irreverently as if to say, "Big deal!" It was at that point he turned to head back to the podium and we noticed his right hand flipping us the bird. It was at that point we rendered him as "one of us" and we gave him a standing ovation. He was unique and quite a character...definitely one of a kind and knew the importance of telling the truth. He left a mark on my experience.
I happened on to your channel by accident but thoroughly am hooked as this is the stuff that inspired me to become a pilot from the time I was in the second grade and watched every fighter pilot movie I could. And this will be one of my favorite all-time videos of yours or any others that I have seen. Well done!
Awesome to have been there, Captain. Thx.
And I was in the class he flipped off as he left. He was the ultimate Commandant.
In recognition of his time as Commandant, the Wing gave him a sabre in a presentation case during the noon meal. As he held the case, it became evident to us that he was holding it so that both hands were, yes, flipping the bird. His words were , "I guess I'll leave you guys the same way I came in."
Ritchie came to the zoo once, and he and Olds held court in front of the F-4 on the quad. I was under the impression Ritchie had already made ace.
I only saw Ella Raines once, during a parade march-off where I was a guidon bearer. She was wearing that same fur as you had in the picture, and was a knockout. There were a number of stories (one or two apocryphal, I'm sure) of his letting off cadets who had really screwed up, after they'd come clean, or had shown exemplary spirit. Most of the guys there would have followed Robin Olds to the ends of the earth, and over the edge.
@@studuerson2548 Great stuff, Stu. Thanks for sharing it here.
I was there too (in Arnold Hall). I will never forget that... one of the most impressive examples of leadership that I have ever witnessed. You were one year ahead of me. I later became a fighter pilot ( in F-4s also). I hope that if I am worthy of the hereafter, it will be as Robin Olds described it in his recurring dream.
The absolute peak of the
>refuses to elaborate further
>leaves
level of Chad
> Fought in WWII, flew P-38 and P-51 got several kills.
>Married Hollywood actress, who dumped Clark Gable for Olds.
>bored and rejoined the AF to fight in Vietnam, got several MiG kills.
>dies in 2007
True alpha male
Ward, I'm gobsmacked!
This is your very best episode EVER!
I know, I know, you've had some damn great ones (loved the one with your Father)...
but the amount of detail that you've dug up and presented on Gen. Robin Olds here is unprecedented.
Gen. Olds was one of the greatest Aviators our armed services ever produced and I was riveted to my seat for the entire 47:36 of your outstanding video.
I'm sure both of his lovely daughters (I've met both of them) are honored by this compelling and fascinating video of yours: "Robin Olds: The Total Fighter Pilot Package" yes, indeed he was...
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! "Mooch" you truly outdid yourself here good sir.
I 2nd everything you said. I wish I had a poster of the man, so I could hang it in my house. Im in love with him.....hahaha
Well said mate
I remember a quote from one of his pilots in Vietnam, "In another age, he would have been a warrior king."
The service needs men like him.
The country needs men like him.
Two of the most damaging persons ever to hold power in our country were Lyndon Johnson and Robert Strange McNamara. We are still living with the problems those two created for our Country.
And until that day comes we'll take a Senile, Corrupt, Career Politician who falls of Bicycles.
He was a warrior king & some doddering old dementive pedo is no replacement a man
@@realMaverickBuckley - BUTT Mostly tells & Re-Tells Self-aggrandizing yarns that that have ZERO basis in FACT!! 👎🏾
Calm down there
‘Pres. Sleepy Sniffer’
Better than a RuSSian spy!
As USAF vet…this is the Ward Carroll video I have been waiting for. You absolutely knocked it out of the park. Col Olds is who we hang our (Air Force) hat when asked to point out the quintessential American fighter pilot. You did an outstanding job telling the story of a real life military folk hero.
One of the most interesting story's and one of the most interesting characters I've ever heard. This is how we like our military personnel. "Black man and Robin" is actually one of the better nicknames if you ask me. Olds is a tough bastard.
I read Robin old biography, fighter pilot. It was riveting. Thank you for creating this video book report . Robin Olds was truly the ultimate air warrior.
Not only military organizations, but all organizations need to heed Robin Olds' advice regarding suicide by bureaucracy.
Thank you for this one.
I had the honor of introducing Robin a few times late in his life when he was a much sought-after speaker at functions like F-16 B-Course pilot graduation ceremonies. Always irreverent, irascible, and truly unique, I doubt anyone who spent more than a few moments with him doesn't have a "Robin story." There's the old tale of placing him in a glass case in the Pentagon. Beside the case was a hammer and a sign that read, "In case of war, break glass." 'Nuff said.
Thank you Cmdr. Carroll for a riveting telling of the life and times of Robin Olds. What a warrior! Thanks for your best video yet. I had to choke up at the end, on remembering my dad, who was an enlisted Air Force crewmember on many types of transport planes. Dad flew a bunch of missions during the Berlin Airlift. I want to meet my dad in my final dream, on my final day. I still have my Dad's student's pilot log book and his solo certificate. Dad took me up when I was a kid and he let me 'drive' the small one engine taildragger. His hands were wrapped around mine on the stick, as I stood between his legs. He had his feet firmly on the pedals. Semper Fi, from a Vietnam Marine vet.
Thank you for this. I was an enlisted airman at Cam Ranh Bay in 1970, and I can assure you that Col. Olds was THE HERO of the Air Force then and he still was when I left the Air Force for college in 1977. Love the videos and thank you for your service!
This story is fantastic, I met him at a party for a friends daughter who was joining the Navy. When the party broke up I offered to take him out for cocktails, he said yes
and the rest is classified !!!!
Amazing 🍺
Cool story Bro
Jaeger bombs! 🥃 💣 💥
You lucky so and so!!
Robin wasn’t just on an exchange to the RAF, but commanded the RAFs most historical No 1 squadron. Great episode.
Air National Guard with over 27 years of service (still serving) and enlisted in 1995 as an E1 currently holding the rank of O5. Thank you for this documentary. Thank you also for your service as well, Sir. You earned a subscriber.
Excellent tribute. We met Mr Olds on a cruise with the Aces around 2005. My wife's step father was a WWII Ace (Clayton Kelly Gross) and he invited us. Interesting and touching the reoccurring dream Mr Olds had. Toward the end of Mr. Gross' life he too was having reoccurring dreams of the war. He said he found that interesting because he said previously he had not had these dreams. His dreams were about being in the air, doing battle, and being with his crew and other pilots. It was such an important part of their life, it shaped who they became.
I'm pretty sure he was my dentist when I was a kid! Holy crap I had no idea he was an ace.
Even though I've heard the Robin Olds "story" more than a few times, that was 47 well spent minutes of my life. We all have something to learn from men like Robin Olds. Leadership, honor, and just getting things done when the system tries to stop us. Thank you General Olds. Thank you Ward!
Spot on, easily right up there with 47 minutes of enthralling, gobsmacked respect mate
Your statement gave this old Air Force Nurse, (his era) a wave of chills,goosebumps & quick tears washing out my eyes. Honor, loyalty,etc. really are virtues to strive for. Thank you.
@@carolecarr5210 Carole i hope people that are younger than us ( i'm 45 ) really get to understand that men like R. Olds in western nations defense forces across the world are the difference between tyranny and freedom, not lying MSM, BIG TECH etc
Thanks for replying i really do feel the same
Great response, I couldn’t have said it better.
General Olds had all of his gun camera films from WWII and Southeast Asia spliced together into one long movie. Once when I was at the Air Force Academy he showed them to a group of us and narrated as they progressed. It was quite an experience to listen to him re-live every pass, every air-to-air shot.
One thing that stuck in my mind was that when they were strafing trains in Germany, they would kill the locomotive on the first pass, then walk the guns up the ditch alongside the tracks on subsequent passes. He explained that as soon as the train stopped any troops that were aboard would pile out and take cover in the ditches. It was brutal.
What a privilege to hear from a master teaching his deadly craft. Would you share any air-to-air teachings?
That’s badass that you got to hear it straight from him!
Want to read about strafing in WWII? Look for MAD REBEL ... A YOUTH AT WAR John H. Oliphint From: 3559th Fighter Pilots. I bought a box of these from John and had them all Autographed. For All Who Read These Words “Freedom is NOT Free!” John Olinphint
Mooch mate.
Robin Olds is a total LEGE!
Respect from the UK.
And that is hard to get mate ..
Unfortunately also civilian trains in occupied nations were strafed.
My grandfather, a doctor, was traveling by passenger train here in Denmark. He survived.
Brought tears to my eyes.....what a magnificent tribute to a TRUE LEGEND! WELL DONE, Ward!
You tell his story very well! He has been one of my heroes for many years! To this day his leadership still has an incredible impact on our military!
The description of the dream nearly brought a tear to my eye. Robin Olds has to be one of the most legendary pilots forged by the United States, and I hope that dream is where he is today, having a good time with all those familiar faces.
I just finished this episode. This was the BEST episode you've put out there in my opinion. I've always thought Robin Olds was the epitome of what it meant to be a fighter pilot. Thank you for all of the effort that went into this one Mooch. You've got the best channel on CZcams.
Yeah. Best ever!
I think Kim Kardashian's channel has better production values. Ward is a close second.
Agree!
Agree, mind blowing episode 🤯😂
Hi Bassin. Agreed. Best ever. Robin was one hell of a guy. But I somehow wish he had just hung it up and stayed with his wife to the end. But he could not have saved her of course. That's the way it is I guess.
My dad was flying fighters with the 48 tfw wing at Lakenheath England when Robin pulled that stunt further north, he was an absolute legend in the Air Force never be another one like him
My father is 94 years old and really enjoys your channel. He is a retired USAF pilot and was the best example for me of being forthright and honest to oneself and others . Thank you for your videos . I have also learned so much watching them with my father.
Great story on a genuine American hero. Love your comment on his legacy - “disdain on processes and bureaucracy without purpose and took deliberate action against them”. Somehow his “Blackman & Robin” shows more humor, respect and endearment with Chappie then the PC nonsense that institutions public and private are wasting resources to propagate…
From what I've read/heard they were the two hands working together
My Dad was an F-94C guy. I don't believe he flew with either Gen. Olds or Gen. James but as a kid I knew about "Blackman and Robin". My dad had an issue of Air Combat that covered Operation Bolo and where the Article was Batman and Robin, my father corrected it with an ink pin.
I read his daughters biography of him. Very good book and I recommend it to all. He was quite a character.
This is probably one of the best tributes to an Air Force guy from a Navy guy ever.
My favorite quote from Robin Olds "Stupid people start wars, stupid people run wars, and very seldom listen to the people who are fighting the wars"
Outstanding story!! As an USAF enlisted vet, I enjoyed this immensely and salute you Mr. Carroll for a job well done! Thank you for your service and for your patriotism!
I believe with all my heart Robin got his 5th Mig, one thing Ward didn't mention about Robin is that he admits to falsifying records while the Commander of the 8th TFW, he erased his Counters(Counters are 100 missions in North Vietnam Route Packs) to remain as the Commander of the 8th longer. Also it would be like him become the first 1st Ace of the Vietnam War and just didn't tell anyone.
No doubt. 🇺🇸
His daughter says he didn't, and she asked him.
Several pilots of the 8th claim that he gave them his kills, so that he wouldn't get called back.
He supposedly flew missions during his tour as the IG.
I was saw an interview with Robin where he was asked about a 5th kill in Vietnam, all he said was “as the French say, probably” in a slight French accent
@@Th3Rambler Oh yea, I read his autobiography, I think he was sneaking around flying every ones but the 8th TFW's F-4's over North Vietnam, but I never saw that interview. I was only going by his actions, fighting to stay in combat and lead his troops and interviews of the men that flew with him, whenever his 4 official Mig kills were brought up, there always seemed to be a "wink" or asterisk. Dude were is that interview?
I served with the 8th Fighter Wing at Ubon in 1972. The guy was still a legend.
Dad was RAAF pilot in Vietnam. Tears at end of this.
Thx for excellent story 👍
Col (Gen) Olds was our commander at Ubon RTAFB. Only met him once when he was doing a “walk-thru” the area. I went to salute but he quickly put out his hand. Never had a chance to talk.
From his biography he was originally in the class of 1944, but the Army accelerated the class of '44 to 1943 for the war effort. He also walked more tours in the West Point yard than anyone else in his class.
Thanks for all you do Ward, but super special thanks for this one. Olds was my dad’s 8th TFW commander during his ‘65-‘66 tour at Ubon. After dad did a second tour with the Wolfpack in ‘68-‘69, Olds brought dad to work for him at USAFA. Our 4 years there were amazing - a great place for me as a kid and my parents had some fantastic Olds stories. Fast forward 35 years: heading out on my first AFG deployment my dad hands me his Wolfpack patch, which I kept in my flight suit on every combat sortie over Afghanistan & Iraq. “Olds” was often on the ATO as an MQ-9 call sign, and I wondered what General Olds would’ve thought about our brave new world of UAS/RPA combat... Thanks again for the fascinating channel - despite being around or in military aviation my whole life I always learn something new. Keep up the great work!
Lest we not forget……….. Awesome video encompassing what made us all great in the past and highlighting a lot of the lessons that unfortunately seem to have been forgotten🇺🇸🇺🇸🇬🇧🇬🇧
thank you, Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!!!!!!! Robin Olds is THE ONE PERSON on this planet I look up to. I ALWAYS love hearing someone speak about him as there is always something another person may not have know or missed out. We need another man like this one today.
Ward, you’ve out done yourself on this episode.
I was a USAFA prep schooler when General Olds was the commandant of cadets. His example will live forever there. He was the inspiration for me becoming a fighter pilot and especially for having the privilege of flying the mighty F4 Phantom. If only the Air Force would heed his words.
During my many years in the Air National Guard as a full-timer, I had the honor of working on more than one F4 that had been flown by Col. Olds and one that (that I know of) that had been flown by Gen. James which is now on display at Tuskegee University. Those were the days…
Great video!!! My dad, flew with Robin Olds in Viet Nam, was a Captain flew F4s with him in his squadron.. My Dad talks about one mission where out of all the jets that went out on a mission one morning, only he and Robin were the only two that came back. Said Robin was a brilliant pilot.
Story is well told Mooch.The majority of my UPT class at Laughlin AFB in 1968 were USAF Academy grads. They of course praised Robin Olds and Chappy James as well. Several of us were on a T-37 solo out and back cross country hop to Randolph AFB. Robin's F-4 was parked on the ramp when I landed. The ladder was still attached and it was a time when climbing aboard and checking out the the cockpit layout was something that wasn't questioned. We were caught on a weather cancel due to thunderstorms rolling over Del Rio from Mexico and had to check into the BOQ overnight. We headed in to the Officer's Club for a meal a met Robin at the bar who of course recognized my classmates from their days at the academy when he was Commandant of Cadets. He was larger than life. Bob McDermott was the Dean of cadets and retired about the same time my classmates graduated. We were always welcome in his home in San Antonio on our frequent weekend escapes from Southwest Texas. I remember in particular he had a dog who could turn the TV on by barking.
--Pigpen
That was your greatest episode! Robin Olds was a heroes Hero! I have no idea why they haven't made a movie out of his book! It is the USAF version of Top Gun! I lost my father, in January. When I listened to this book many years ago, in the end I listened to his dream and I wept, because I lived my whole life to make my father proud and I hope Robin's dream came true, because though I am not a fighter pilot, I am a pilot, and could not have been one without my fathers encouragement! If his dream came true then maybe my father and I can reunite on the otherside in a hangar!
For the life of me I don’t understand why the other branches haven’t made a solid, quality movie/recruiting tool like Top Gun was for the Navy.
The Air Force tried then backed out of Iron Eagles. Still one of my favorites even though it gets so much wrong.
Heartbreak Ridge was pretty good for the Corps even though the real event was an Army Ranger battalion. There’s a few good ones set during WWII, with the closest to modern and pro-military to some point was Blackhawk Down.
Frankly, the reason IMO is because Hollywood dislikes portraying the military, especially infantrymen, as the good guys. Anything the AF signs onto for technical assistance in an air power type movie is going to automatically be called a Top Gun ripoff, even if TG 2 is essentially Star Wars. I’m honestly not sure how to make a solid flick for the Air Force.
The Army & Corps is a bit easier: special operations. And maybe even the AF could help get a script out for AFSOC. But, again, spec ops movies have been done over and over.
Probably my idea for a modern era (last 30yrs) would be a modern tank movie. A film about 73 Easting would be good.
My father was at Ubon with 79 SQN RAAF when the base was first established. 79 SQN flew Avon Sabres that were providing air defence for the base. Olds saw 79 SQN, which he referred to as TWA (Teeny Weeny Airforce), as a resource and arranged for his crews to participate in Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT) with 79 SQN at the end of 8th TFW missions.
Not much left of 79SQN at Ubon these days, just some broken up concrete foundations next to a rusted water tank. The results of Agent Orange spraying on the perimeter can still be seen. Anytime you're there be sure to visit the RTAF museum and the memorial to PLTOFF Mark McGrath RAAF.
What a beautiful tribute to a genuine American hero. Thanks for telling the story. I'd heard bits and pieces before, but never told quite so well or so lovingly.
Out-frigging-standing, an excellent tribute to one of my all time heroes, the fighter pilots, fighter pilot. well done Sir! 👍
Ward, do an interview with Gen Olds’ daughter, Christine, & learn more about the man & All of the SCATs!
What a great tribute to a great man a greater fighter pilot.
I’m not a pilot, never flown anything, but I’m inspired by Robins life. I try to implement some of his characteristics in my life. Thanks to Robin for showing all of us what real leadership looks like.
This was an incredible telling of a quintessential warrior pilot Ward! The relating of General Olds dream at the end literally had me in tears thank you very much!
Rest In Peace General
Gen Olds was also the finest Commandant of Cadets to ever walk the terrazzo of USAFA. Cristina, his daughter does an excellent job of keeping his legacy alive.
Olds was a fighter pilot's "fighter pilot". The best of the BEST.
I arrived at Ubon just as Col. Olds left. He left a legacy that we F-4 crew chiefs tried to carry forward. Proud to be an 8th TFW vet crew chief!
You were likely at Ubon, the same time as my Dad, Al Homstead.
Excellent recap of Robin Olds' memoirs, which was a gift from my son while he was serving as a flight surgeon in Germany. Although Ward was a navy pilot, his respect for another military pilot comes through in this commemorative video. Well done!
If I'm asked "If you could sit down for 1 hour and talk to anyone, who would it be"?? I would always say "Robin Olds"!!! 🇬🇧
Good choice.
He would be great. Mine would be Pappy Boyington since I met him as a teen
@@lewiskemp5893 The original "Black Sheep" 😉🇬🇧
Robin Olds or Johnnie Johnson for me.
@@benlewis2475 Yes, another Hero!! My Mother met him during the war years, she worked for Irvin Air Chute and he paid a visit.
his deadstick air to air kill in a P-38 is a one of a kind achievement. A true leader.
I can almost imagin the thought - Well, I'm behind him I can still get him do that THEN recover this plane.
I'm a Army combat Veteran and now a full time police chief. I say this not to boast or toot my horn, but to speak from a place of understanding. To many great American service member's stories go untold and even worse, never heard. So I thank you for the excellent job, truly first class sir. I wish our youth had more interest in such things. Lastly, I see several guitars in the background. I to play guitar...since the age of 14. Guess it's a warriors way to relax since not much else can keep our intrest for long. Stay safe, stay healthy and keep up the great work sir.
I was stationed at RAF Bentwaters in the Early 80s and found the stories about General olds, he became my hero and my love of the AF!
As an Air Force NCO, I always got the feeling that the USAF, in any of their teaching regarding Gen. Olds, was that he was seen in sort of an off color light (I suppose from his mustache and his bold actions), but he was revered nonetheless. I know he's always been revered by me. I watched ever second of this video, and I thank you for it.
I’ve known of Robin Olds a good part of my life, but you did such a great job of telling his complete story, filling in many details I did not know. I actually visited his gravesite at the Air Force Academy cemetery last year. Thank you so very much for your willingness to celebrate the life of this great Army and Air Force hero.
This should be part of American History at all schools. I knew about him and his flying career in Vietnam 🇻🇳, but I didn’t know all this , excellent.
What a man Robin Olds was , this is a excellent review of his life & service !👍
A pilots pilot, a mans man. Being recalled for one more tour of duty with our Father in heaven, and with his mustache and a beer at his side. RIP Robin Olds!
The epitome of a leader.
Robin Olds was obviously naturally gifted with a tactically & spacially astute mind and a robust & imposing physique, borne out by playing football in both offence and defence in his youth, all rolled in with a high degree of controlled aggression he was quite literally born to be a fighter pilot. In addition to those qualities he was also a natural and inspirational combat leader, I believe he would've excelled in any branch of the United States military. Yet another instance of the greatest generation. Thanks again sir for an interesting and informative video.
Where your wrong is he didnt have shit going for him but , attitude for success!
Another words, get out of my way and let me succeed!
MosT Aces
No such thing as "naturally" gifted
As I leave this world,
and having been part of
this so called, "greatest
generation" I have what
is the single most recurring
question amongst my,
mostly late contemporaries.
"How the hell did we ever
allow this cultural, nightmare
of sexual this and that( please
reader, don't act like you don't
know what I'm talking about),
heroes so deformed from
multiple plastic surgeries,
that they barely pass for
human...and who would
much prefer little boys to
gorgeous young movie
stars. That's enough, I'll
try to stop. Wait, wait,
Most of these modern day
heroes would NEVER look up
to Robin as a hero!
To most of them he's just
a knuckle scraping killer
of innocent civilians.
Yes, we did this!!!
They are our grandkids,
Great nephews and nieces,
am I even allowed to mention
that there's a difference
without a fine, and jail time?
Please wake up my
precious AMERICA!!!!
I love you and all of your
Robin Olds so much!
If there was ever a case of
be careful what you ask for.
Well, we wanted our kids and our grandkids to go to college
right? Now you can thank,
Satre, Marx, Lenin (both of them, spelling not withstanding), We did it!!!
Our kids, (The greatest generation Jr.)
Please help us Lord
before it's legal for a man
to marry a salad bowl.
Thank you, and God Bless
You Robin.👍
Olds is my favorite Fighter Pilot of all time. What a guy.
Thank you for this. Thank you. I grew up learning all about WW2 and wanting to fly. I had bad color vision so I wasn’t allowed to fly. But I was lucky enough to go Army aviation in VietNam radio intel. I read the Olds biography years ago. This almost made me cry. Thank you for this very respectful telling. The military was good to a lot of us.
Thanks Ward for the story & tribute to a great. & legendary fighter pilot…it was an honor to serve at Ubon RTAFB with the Wolfpack, the 8th TAC, servicing electronics on F-4Cs, Ds, & Es, & all under Gen. Olds’ legend! Aim High! God bless all my brothers…
Hey ward!! This man is my hero, I am 13 and I love aviation and military history. I read the book Fighter Pilot which is his autobiography that was absolutely amazing. Also last spring break I want to the National museum of the USAF and I saw his phantom that he flew in Vietnam, truly a beast of a plane!!
Hammy did you see the Peninsula Seniors talk by his daughter? YT video SwBK0a3n658
Stay in it youngster, it will provide a lifetime of amazement and enjoyment and learning!
So are you going to be a Fighter Pilot? Your generation and my sons could very well be the last.
@@Vladimirthetiny yes
Best episode ever. You captured the essence of the man, the myth, and the legend. They don’t make too many men like that these days.
They don't make many like him ever. He's proof that giants can be great pilots and magnificent human beings.
Excellent video Ward. This truly was a different time. Robin Olds was an incredibly driven man throughout his career. I’m proud to have a model of his SCAT XXVII F-4 with two mig kills on the intake next to a model wild weasel F-105.
I served as a weapons mechanic in Ubon for Col. Olds. We were a family. He was kind and polite to us. He would say hello Airman Goodman. We would keep him informed of any thing he ask. I will never forget the air show and party when the 8th TFW returned from operation Bolo.
I've lived in Hampton, VA for the past 28 years. In fact, I live 1.5 miles south of the Langley AFB runway midpoint. The whole area, (Hampton Roads/Tidewater), is military driven. Within 25 miles we have Langley AFB, Home of the Air Combat Command, NAS Oceana, NAS Norfolk, Norfolk Naval Base, Little Creek Navy Base, the home of the East Coast SEAL Teams and Ft. Eustis Army Post, NASA and many smaller commands. Col Olds is remembered in Hampton High School. I read his biography last year. One thing I didn't hear was featured in Dan Hampton's book "Lords of the Sky" Is that Col. Olds was heading back to Ubon and low on fuel when the tanker said they had no more fuel for him and retracted the boom. Olds was almost completely out and reportedly said that " I have one sidewinder left and just be for I punch out, I'm going to shoot it at you." The boom then came back down.
That was a great episode that took me through the full spectrum of emotions. I guess im getting to the age where my heroes are all gone. What a guy, RIP.
My father was an E7 at Ubon in 1967. He ran the lox plant there. There was a shortage of housing for senior NCOs, so he lived off base. A lot of mornings, Col. (at the time) James gave him a ride to the base. That was the only time in a 20 year career that started in 1942 that Dad was assigned to a fighter wing. The rest of the time was bombers, including being a B29 waist gunner with 13 combat missions.
I am a retired Air Force officer. Robin Olds remains a legend. We had and have too few like him.
Prior to the internet, I first heard about Robin Olds via a lithograph convo I had with my pops. He went through ACSC & his trophy room had these framed Gathering of Eagles lithographs. As a kid at the time, it was pretty cool seeing the different generations of Aces and discussing how each generation incorporated technology into their tactics. 🤙
An outstanding deep dive into the life and times of legendary Robin Olds. He was a man and fellow aviator that I always idolized.
This was a great presentation Ward.... There is a great video of Robin's Daughter , Christina- who makes presentations in various parts of the country about her life with her father and mother... The video that I saw was of a presentation of Robin's leadership and a book that she wrote called Fighter Pilot, which was all about her father. The presentation took place in Torrance, Ca. At a place called the Western Aviation museum at Torrance Airport... It is very detailed on Robert Olds (Robins father) and Robin's WW2 activity and his men that were in his command while he flew over 152 missions in Vietnam.... What a great guy he was...
Robin Olds meeting John Wayne:
Wayne: "Hi. John Wayne. Nice to meet ya. I just stared in a movie where I play a hot shot military pilot who's a liability to the top brass because I don't always follow the rules. But in the end, I prove my worth by leading my squadron of pilots into battle and shoot down several enemy planes."
Olds "How exciting."
Lol
Listened to these stories from my Dad and his friends. Dad passed in March 2022 @ 95, his buddies, Gen Bud Day, Col Bull Simons (S/F), & so many others that flew fighters in WWII, Korea, 3 tours in Vietnam all passed years before him, I'm certain he's having a drink with them all...he made it as well at the end of the dream. RIP Pop, Love You!
That dream made me tear up!! R.i.p Mr. Olds
Ward, awesome video. I read Robin's memoir's right after it's release. I began service as a civilian aerospace engineer in 1977 and disappointed that I never met Robin, however a close friend/colleague of mine had. His father flew with Robin in Vietnam and later skied together at Steamboat. I spent my career at WPAFB and got to see Robin's F-4 in the museum. Two cousins on my fathers side also flew in Vietnam, one flew 275 combat missions in the F-100 and F-105, the other flew the C-123 and the C-130 Gunship. His C-123 also sits in the USAF Museum, callsign "Patches". My son also became a fighter pilot flying the F-16C.
My favorite quote from BG Steve Ritchie: "Mixed emotions is when the IG team crashes in flames on finals..."
What an ending to probably the greatest, most inspiring and obviously revered , loved and respected by the narrator i have ever heard. First time watching your channel mate, absolutely brilliant
You're in for a treat!
Much, much love! Thank you. Col Sheldon Swafford, my friend, flew into Normandy in a wooden bird .
I recently found your channel and I have to say, it is exceptional. I was an Aviation Electrician (E-5) on P3-C’s out of Moffett Field, CA. I served from 84-88 and then re-entered the Navy reserves in 91. I entered the reserves because as a female I could not keep my rate and rank if I went to the regular Navy. So, I reluctantly went into the reserves with a promise that I could transition to the regular Navy which I later found out was not true. I wanted to be on Active duty so I switched services to the Coast Guard. After my time in the Coast Guard I went to school to get my Airframe and Powerplant licenses, as well as my FCC license. After graduating I interviewed and was hired by United Airlines and worked “C” check maintenance out of San Francisco. What can I say…I love aviation ! Thank you again for all of the wonderful things you share. I will be contributing to the channel financially in the very near future. Quality content must be rewarded. For now, I am off to check out the merch !❤
What an amazing person, his career would make an amazing movie, no need to make things up when you hav a real life hero like this. Thank you so much for telling this so eloquently, also nice to see Naval Aviation included. 👍🏼
I never tire of hearing the Robin Olds story. I think this is what everyone who becomes a fighter pilot wants as a life and career.
True.. Very True
Superb video about a true warrior! I grew up in the Air Force, the son of a man who made CMSgt very early in his career. This video brought back many of the memories I have of my dad, who spent his entire career in TAC, having worked on F-84s, F-100s, F-4s and A-7s. I remember my dad going to Wheelus in Libya to help establish the gunnery range. I had the privilege of meeting Chappie James, who commanded the 33rd TFS at Eglin, which became the 25th at Ubon. My dad told me stories of Col Olds, Col James and their friendship and I could tell he was proud to be associated with them. He referred to Col. Olds as a "real, no-s**t fighter pilot" and Chappie as one of the finest officers he ever knew. (There are some legendary stories of Chappie's interactions with young airmen, most of which would be considered very politically incorrect today.) I ended up doing 20 years in the Army as a tactical intelligence officer and I'm proud to say that I was not one of those "it's classified" intel guys. I'm now 67 and Chappie, who died months after the last time I saw him, Robin and my dad are all gone, I'm still proud to hold them up as my heroes and men to emulate. I thank God that such men lived.
Thanks for this wonderful video. I was at Ubon Oct. 1966 -- Oct 1967. I was a radar operator and for a short time I was assigned to work in the 8th command post. I only met col Olds one time, I was ordered by a 4 star to get him out of his morning breifing which was strickly forbidden. He did not chew me out, just said, "I hate fu..... Generals."
You did an AWESOME job in telling General Old’s story! As an Air Force Veteran, both enlisted and a commissioned officer, I only wish that I had been given the opportunity to serve under his command! Thank You!