The Robin Olds Story: Mustache, MiG Killer, And Standing Up To The President. A Maverick Ace Story

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  • Опубліковано 14 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 261

  • @Dronescapes
    @Dronescapes  Рік тому +24

    Click the link to watch more aircraft, heroes, and their stories, and missions: www.youtube.com/@Dronescapes

    • @marypapak5759
      @marypapak5759 Рік тому

      Thank you for this incredible piece on Robin. Very, very well done, and accurate. He was my uncle, my fathers older brother, and in addition to all of his military accomplishments, he was a loving, great father and uncle and grandfather ❤❤❤❤

  • @tomeickhorst6787
    @tomeickhorst6787 Рік тому +219

    This man is what every officer should strive to be. To lead his men from the front and not to ask his men to do anything that he would not do first.

  • @spikymikie
    @spikymikie Рік тому +138

    Robin Olds was the king of badassery in the USAF. I got to meet him when I was stationed at Seymor Johnson in 1985 during an airshow. The confidence he projected was amazing. And a super nice guy.

    • @Dronescapes
      @Dronescapes  Рік тому +4

      👍👍

    • @marypapak5759
      @marypapak5759 Рік тому +3

      He was my uncle, and everything you said is true❤

    • @Jose-wd6kn
      @Jose-wd6kn 5 місяців тому

      @@marypapak5759insanely lucky

  • @jessejames9854
    @jessejames9854 Рік тому +60

    Brig. Gen. Olds Rest in Peace .. We need more people in the position of power like him. He was an icon!!

  • @j.w.perkins6004
    @j.w.perkins6004 5 місяців тому +3

    Robin was the fighter pilots fighter pilot. A great commander, and leader. As you can tell from this presentation, he could hardly breathe. He passed witin a year.
    God Bless Robin Olds!

  • @gdolson9419
    @gdolson9419 Рік тому +29

    As a retired Jarhead the comment "He came home disgusted with the failure of his government, but inspired by the accomplishments of his men."
    Pretty well mirrors my feelings as well.

  • @corydriver7634
    @corydriver7634 Рік тому +74

    “You want to get something done in the service, go to the Sargents”. As a retired NCO I 100% agree.

    • @oldgrunt5806
      @oldgrunt5806 Рік тому +5

      A rare officer, especially a West Point grad. Understanding and appreciating what the people who work for you do is the mark of a true leader.

    • @jimsharp5044
      @jimsharp5044 Рік тому

      NCOs run the military.

    • @beerdrinker6452
      @beerdrinker6452 Рік тому +2

      Sergeants.

  • @trentk268
    @trentk268 Рік тому +23

    Dude was a man's man and absolutely the right guy to straighten out top brass!

  • @chrishensley6745
    @chrishensley6745 Рік тому +16

    The George Patton of the sky!!! What a man!

  • @truck6859
    @truck6859 Рік тому +17

    This man is an American legend! Thank you so much for posting!🇺🇲

  • @mikelliteras397
    @mikelliteras397 Рік тому +32

    That was awesome. I’ve admired Robin Olds since the first time I read anything about him back in the early 80’s when I was 14 or 15. He is the model all officers should attempt to emulate. Cares for his men, loves his country, isn’t political and probably anything else that’s good in a person with his responsibilities. This was a great video, thank you very much for posting it. I’ve seen the history channel show on him 10 times but this is the first time I’ve seen this talk at the air show. I bet he had a years worth of stories a couple hours at a time. Thanks again for posting this, you made this old guys day👍

  • @MalcolmRuthven
    @MalcolmRuthven Рік тому +39

    What a great presentation on a great U.S. fighter pilot!

  • @ricardocorbie6803
    @ricardocorbie6803 Рік тому +31

    Always the pilot,, he’s talking and some guys taking off,, he paused, said “ How come he gets to do that and I don’t ?” What a man!! 💜💜

  • @jimfinlaw4537
    @jimfinlaw4537 Рік тому +22

    Wonderful presentation honoring one of Americas greatest fighter pilots. He established new standards in the field of battle in Vietnam. He put bombs on F-4 Phantoms so they could execute night interdiction missions against the North. By the time he left Vietnam and returned to the states, the wing in Thailand continued as a very well oiled machine due to Robin Olds organizational skills as a wing commander. A good friend of mine flew F-4E Phamtoms in that wing after Olds had left. On one night interdiction mission he forgot to switch off his NAV lights on his F-4E during a bombing run and it wasn't long when the North Vietmanese greeted him with anti-aircraft fire. Fortunately he wasn't hit, but he made sure he would never do that again. My friend flew 72 combat missions for that wing and they continued the tradition that was established by Robin Olds.

  • @grahamcox8385
    @grahamcox8385 Рік тому +5

    Every time I see a video or clip of Robin olds I have so much admiration for the man, not just for being a ace fighter pilot and legend of air combat, but because he was a man who would get the job done no matter what the odds were, and he'd do it with charisma and a way that made people take notice and follow his instructions and example, a true hero, rest in peace sir Robin olds and much honour to you always 🙏🌹

  • @joe-qo3qi
    @joe-qo3qi Рік тому +16

    Truly a first class soldier of the old school tradition. One of those rare type that commands respect and adoration setting the example to achieve success.

  • @ironbrigade6872
    @ironbrigade6872 Рік тому +12

    A true American aviation warrior and hero. I wish I could have attended one of his speaches.
    RIP
    Ace Robin Olds

  • @RagsHSC-7
    @RagsHSC-7 Рік тому +19

    R.Olds May he fly in the heavens forever 🕊️❤️🕊️

  • @alexkalish8288
    @alexkalish8288 Рік тому +12

    I saw him a couple times at the UDON officers club. His mustache made him stand out - he was is serious shape, an athlete. the pilots there were devoted to him.

  • @kevingreen3923
    @kevingreen3923 5 місяців тому +2

    I read his book "Fighter Pilot," and it is phenomenal. I would highly recommend reading it. It was kinda sad what happened at the end of his career. We need more men and officers like him. Those who aren't afraid of taking risks and bending the rules. A true legend and honorable man

  • @garyleibitzke4166
    @garyleibitzke4166 Рік тому +15

    I've read a couple of books about him. Absolutely outstanding man.

  • @dawsondemontiney1247
    @dawsondemontiney1247 4 місяці тому

    The joy he gets when retelling stories is awesome to see.

  • @noapologizes2018
    @noapologizes2018 Рік тому +15

    This what Heroes are made of. Our young boys should be reading about men such as this. Instead, they have no real heroes and are taught to hate this country. Brave men like Robin Olds are few and far between. He was a Man's Man. Bravo Robin Olds. I salute you.

  • @metalheartmachine
    @metalheartmachine Рік тому +7

    His Autobiography is well worth reading; he is unflinchingly honest about his own behavior impacting his private life, a great read that I reread from time to time.

  • @happymann1000
    @happymann1000 Рік тому +4

    It was a joy to hear this man's stories. Larger than life.

  • @bobnewkirk7186
    @bobnewkirk7186 Рік тому +9

    Robin Olds has always been a personal hero. One of the finest officers in history, Regarding Vietnam - I have heard rumors that his air to air total in Asia was 7.

  • @glenntremblay5406
    @glenntremblay5406 Рік тому +6

    This man is an example of THE greatest generation that ever lived.

  • @76guzzi78
    @76guzzi78 Рік тому +1

    What an unique and accomplished life! Thankyou for your service Sir, from Perth Western Australia

  • @skywarp1
    @skywarp1 Рік тому +12

    Robin Olds' mustache even has medals

  • @jimmierturner3597
    @jimmierturner3597 Рік тому

    Thanks!

  • @asharma9345
    @asharma9345 Рік тому +4

    Sir Respect.
    No other Words.

  • @daviswall3319
    @daviswall3319 Рік тому +6

    And don’t forget the contribution of JB Stone to Operation Bolo. Never underestimate a boy from Mississippi!!! Robin Olds is truly the greatest and he had some great men beside him as well.

  • @JamesPappas-ki8jc
    @JamesPappas-ki8jc Рік тому +4

    My dad was in Thailand with Col. Olds. He loved him and all the guys did too. Quite a leader, by example.

  • @suecobandito8954
    @suecobandito8954 Рік тому +28

    He was also half brother to Gore Vidal, an author, by his mother. RAF mustaches-against regs-but done to foster morale in his pilots. Operation BOLO decimated the NVAF in one day. Note: Gore Vidal, who leaned left, apologized to his brother posthumously in a Playboy article after Olds' death. He reconciled and declared his brother a hero. Pat Conroy, another author whose classmates from the Citadel went to Vietnam while he dodged the draft (fled to Italy), later reconciled his antiwar actions and regretted his actions. My favorite quote from Olds is when they're dogfighting once, somebody pipes up on the radio asking where this is going on? Olds replies, "Hey, get your own."

    • @Dronescapes
      @Dronescapes  Рік тому +2

      I did not know about Vidal

    • @suecobandito8954
      @suecobandito8954 Рік тому +1

      @@Dronescapes look, Gore Vidal wrote some epic novels, Lincoln, Kalki. He famously debated William F. Buckley on TV calling him a “crypto nazi”. Couldn’t have been more opposite from his brother. To me Robin Olds was the consummate fighter pilot. Long live the legend.

    • @marypapak5759
      @marypapak5759 Рік тому

      Step brother, his father married Gore Vidal’s mother, Nina

  • @ronnyherndon3128
    @ronnyherndon3128 10 днів тому +1

    This Man is a class act and a true role role model for all of us to follow. He heard the road at P 51.

  • @mxcollin95
    @mxcollin95 Рік тому +1

    This guy was a national treasure and an absolute American badass!

  • @richardhall5221
    @richardhall5221 9 місяців тому +2

    I have the highest respect for fighter pilots. That being said, they just don't make them like Robin Olds anymore. Salute to this hero.

  • @markskonecki2050
    @markskonecki2050 Рік тому +2

    He was definitely one of a kind!!

  • @curmudgeon1967
    @curmudgeon1967 4 місяці тому +1

    Legend!

  • @davidblack7184
    @davidblack7184 Рік тому +7

    I said this on another yt channel and I'll repeat it here on this one . Robin Olds had balls of solid brass !

  • @calebshuler1789
    @calebshuler1789 Рік тому +2

    A TRUE LIFE SUPERHERO. Ive been amazed, AMAZED at Robin Olds my whole life. As my father is a flyer. Him, and Yeager are my lifelong heros

  • @56hueycobra
    @56hueycobra Рік тому +6

    Brigadier General Robin Olds Was a ACE and a Leader 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

  • @nukezat
    @nukezat Рік тому +14

    So we can say this was the real life Maverick

    • @vivek27789
      @vivek27789 Рік тому +2

      True... Very True

    • @DavidWolf-kf8rw
      @DavidWolf-kf8rw Рік тому +2

      Top Gun and Maverick are based on Cmdr. Randall “Duke” Cunningham, who flew the F-4 Phantom II in Vietnam and became the U.S. Navy’s only ace of the war!

  • @robertp2934
    @robertp2934 Рік тому +6

    The number of missions he flew in Vietnam was extraordinary. He changed aviation warfare. RIP General Olds.

  • @khatokhato9350
    @khatokhato9350 10 місяців тому

    This man interview at very much extent inspired me. I did not anticipate so much humor, energy and experience blended in the single speech. God bless his soul, rest in peace. God bless America!

  • @kellywilson8440
    @kellywilson8440 Рік тому +4

    Colonel Robin Olds Scat f-4 is on display at the USAF museum in dayton ohio , Think it was part of the wolfpack squadron and what a sight to see , Robin is revered as one of the best pilots and officers is the US Air Force rest easy sir !

  • @AnthonyEvelyn
    @AnthonyEvelyn Рік тому +12

    Yeah two things about Korea I really wished had happened in regards to the USAF: 1. The P/F-47N Thunderbolt being deployed as a effective ground support strike aircraft racking up even more destruction. 2. Robin Olds as group commander of F-86 Sabres shooting down MiGs and becoming an Ace there. But such is the reality of life, we might have lost him in Korea, who knows? He was in my opinion like Jimmy Doolittle, Americas Airman.

  • @realpropertymangement7640
    @realpropertymangement7640 Рік тому +2

    Our country and military need more leaders like Robin Olds!

  • @Monza62000
    @Monza62000 Рік тому +16

    olds is so right about the Vietnam War

  • @mkii1964
    @mkii1964 Рік тому +4

    Legend and a true hero!!

  • @briancorley1991
    @briancorley1991 Рік тому

    They don't make them like this anymore, absolute legend, thank you Sir from the 🇬🇧

  • @robertmartello9882
    @robertmartello9882 Рік тому +2

    My man, Robin Olds!

  • @tootired76
    @tootired76 Рік тому +9

    I have a 1/72 scale P 38 which I obtained Robin's Scat III decals for and I have a Revell 1/32 scale Phantom which I obtained Col. Olds decals for!!

  • @jagers4xford471
    @jagers4xford471 Рік тому +4

    A great unforgettable American hero, I only wish I could have flown and skied with Gen. Robin Olds

  • @skipschauer5535
    @skipschauer5535 Рік тому +1

    Robin Olds was the best fighter pilot ever....

  • @jeffreypinder9398
    @jeffreypinder9398 Рік тому +2

    Excellent video, true American hero. General Olds is to be admired. Quite a funny man with a great sense of humor. They don't make them like him anymore. And he was right about johnson and mcnamara.

  • @rael5469
    @rael5469 Рік тому +4

    One thing that is amazing, in ALL of those very old photos they don't put circles around Robin Olds. You can spot him instantly.

  • @simonetaormina7080
    @simonetaormina7080 Рік тому +2

    When President Johnson asked him what can be done to end the war his answer was, you can allow us to win Mr President. Truly one Great fighter pilot. What he did with an F4 Phantom no one else could come close even to this day. A true American Hero a patriot thru and thru.

  • @tim7052
    @tim7052 Рік тому +1

    A great man and pilot. 👍

  • @Bigsky1991
    @Bigsky1991 Рік тому +1

    Robin Olds was one of my childhood heroes... I met several Pilots that flew with him. I built his MiG killer F-4 Phantom model.... yet never for an instant wanted to join the Air Force... I instead confounded my Grandfather Air Force Colonel/ WW2 B17 pilot by instead becoming an Air Cavalry Officer and Helo driver. I did however even as young E4 sport a prodigious Olds Mustasche back when we got away with that sort of thing! Gen. Olds...a US Military Aviation Legend!

  • @graceporte2470
    @graceporte2470 Рік тому +4

    his a great pilot an ace pilot...

  • @oliverbaier407
    @oliverbaier407 Рік тому +1

    7:40 That is my key experience in service! Go to the sergeants, they know how to put it in the right way

  • @anthonymarcano2974
    @anthonymarcano2974 Рік тому +5

    When the F-4's got to 'nam, Colonel Olds baited North Vietnamese pilots into dog fights with the F-4's by making the strike packages look like the F-105's, which North Vietnam bit on. The F-4's tore 'em up.
    I heard stories about him in basic on '78. A real cowboy who I would have gone anywhere for.

  • @fyrdawg533
    @fyrdawg533 Рік тому +31

    General Olds is a "larger than life hero". At a time when young people idolize rappers, thugs and Socialists, we need more men like Gen. Olds. The USAF Academy and the USAF itself need the leadership and guidance of men like him. General "Chappie" James was General Olds "Vice-Commander" with the "Wolfpack" and went on to become the first Black Officer to become a 4-Star General. Two very "great men" who loved this nation. Almighty GOD, please send us more! GOD Bless their families!

    • @donchristie420
      @donchristie420 Рік тому +3

      “Socialist”, where did that come from🤨

    • @BruceStephan
      @BruceStephan Рік тому

      ​@@donchristie420Morons believing in Fascist propaganda

    • @Peter-od7op
      @Peter-od7op Рік тому

      @@donchristie420have you paying attention to whats going on in last few years in USA

  • @ronnyherndon3128
    @ronnyherndon3128 10 днів тому +1

    This Man is a class act and a true role role model for all of us to follow

  • @lesevans6567
    @lesevans6567 Рік тому

    Great video! True American hero!!!

  • @Rebel-Rouser
    @Rebel-Rouser Рік тому +1

    He was a true officer of men. Great fighter pilot and then some.

  • @myprivatewar
    @myprivatewar Рік тому +1

    Mr. Olds = 🐐🐐🐐

  • @russvoight1167
    @russvoight1167 Рік тому +3

    Col. Olds didn't sit out Korea, he was prevented due to his wife's connections

  • @NBZW
    @NBZW Рік тому

    My two heroes during the war, Joe Foss and Robin Olds. Had the pleasure of meeting Foss.

  • @NexusEight
    @NexusEight Рік тому +5

    What a legend!

  • @abrahamreyes4535
    @abrahamreyes4535 Рік тому +3

    A true fighter ace!

  • @viperdriver82
    @viperdriver82 Рік тому +5

    That Stache tho ….💪🏽

  • @pclayton5063
    @pclayton5063 Рік тому +4

    Met him in the F-4 flight simulator section at Luke AFB, AZ in 1972 or 73.

  • @NoahSpurrier
    @NoahSpurrier Рік тому +4

    Brilliant.

  • @stalag14
    @stalag14 Рік тому +4

    Greatest generation

  • @kevinmccorkle7476
    @kevinmccorkle7476 Рік тому +3

    We could sure use leadership like that right about now....

  • @NGT_C7
    @NGT_C7 6 місяців тому +1

    Salute And Respect

  • @jrhamp
    @jrhamp Рік тому +3

    Great and dedicated Amerian..hero! RIP Robin!

  • @matteocrotti6781
    @matteocrotti6781 Рік тому

    Mio Dio! Che video! Grandissimo ACE!

  • @jimsteinway695
    @jimsteinway695 Рік тому +1

    I was in the same squadron Robin was. Much later. 561 TFS wild weasels

  • @michaelsullivan2554
    @michaelsullivan2554 Рік тому +2

    Not just a hero, a national treasure as far as I'm concerned.

    • @jamesburns2232
      @jamesburns2232 Рік тому

      General Robin Olds gave a speech at the Boeing Museum of Flight and said "Without a secure Southern Border, we have no idea of how many terrorists we are letting into the USA." His insight came from being where the rubber meets the road. 🤠

  • @PattMcCrotch
    @PattMcCrotch Рік тому +2

    22:18 The man holding Olds here on the right is my wives uncle. Bill Kirk, USAF ret., he actually gave Olds his check out flight in the F-4 before both heading off to Vietnam to fly together. Kirk would retire a 4-star general in 1989 and be credited with founding Red Flag

  • @vanessacadaocadao1981
    @vanessacadaocadao1981 Рік тому +4

    An amazing human being and a man! God rest his sole.

  • @speedracer2336
    @speedracer2336 Рік тому +3

    He looks like a real fighter pilot!

  • @josephmumma6997
    @josephmumma6997 Рік тому +1

    A true American legend and hero that is greatly missed. It’s men like this that is the reason why we still speak English.

  • @Howdy76
    @Howdy76 Рік тому +5

    That was a real man

  • @screddot7074
    @screddot7074 Рік тому +1

    I didn't know about Col. Olds when I was in the USAF, 70 - 72. I wish I had.

  • @kinch613
    @kinch613 Рік тому

    This man was my hero growing up and why I webt into AF and why I wanted ro fly. I was devastated when in AFROTC at thee Ohio State University, I was informed my eyesight would DQ me from UPT Undergraduate Pilot School. So I enlisted just so I could possibly work for a man and an officer of his caliber. The stache is epic and to this day is still worn in respect. May God please keep Colonel Olds watching over us in the skies. 🇺🇸🫡

  • @bubbajeph
    @bubbajeph Рік тому +1

    He grew up in my city Hampton VA. His dad was stationed at Langley Field (Langley AFB). He went to Hampton High School.

  • @Johnny-ql2vd
    @Johnny-ql2vd Рік тому

    Colonel Robin Olds …… Modern day hero ! Was a crew chief on the F-4 E/G (Wild Weasels) at George, AFB in the late 70’s. We worked hard and played hard ! Peace/Cheers

  • @TronBonneVonne
    @TronBonneVonne Рік тому +3

    This is what i wanted my USAF career to be...instead i was medically retired as a 2M052. Damn it.

  • @towdjumper5
    @towdjumper5 Рік тому +1

    Great fighter pilot.

  • @USNveteran
    @USNveteran Рік тому +3

    Mining the harbors is an act of war? What was their attack on the USS Maddox then? We should have declared war right after that or never sent advisors and stayed out of it. Loved the book "Fighter Pilot" and think General Olds was as bad as they come. Thanks to all now serving, those who have, and those who will in the future. FLY NAVY!!!

  • @studuerson2548
    @studuerson2548 Рік тому +19

    He was Commandant at USAFA, when I was there. It was pretty simple. He was a Man, who was emulated by men.
    I'll quote Shakespeare. "He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again."
    And he was right, about airplanes. You don't get into an airplane and fly it. Once it all clicks, you stap an airplane on your ass, and you FLY.

    • @Dronescapes
      @Dronescapes  Рік тому +3

      👍👍

    • @12345directioner
      @12345directioner Рік тому +1

      He brought my Dad, Al Homstead, to the USAFA in 1970 to run the airfield and coach the parachute team. My Dad flew under his command in Vietnam.

  • @RandallSoong-pp7ih
    @RandallSoong-pp7ih Рік тому +1

    Legendary!!

  • @russvoight1167
    @russvoight1167 Рік тому +3

    Curtis LeMay was Robert Olds' navigator in the early years

  • @Im_Old_Gregg
    @Im_Old_Gregg Рік тому +7

    If only the top levels of the DOD and government had the courage and integrity of the men doing the fighting...We'd be in a lot better place as a country and human race

    • @mikelliteras397
      @mikelliteras397 Рік тому +3

      If they had the integrity of men like him, there would be a lot less wars and those would be over a lot quicker.

  • @skipgetelman3418
    @skipgetelman3418 Рік тому +1

    What an amazing man

  • @calebshuler1789
    @calebshuler1789 Рік тому +1

    To ALL our great POSTHUMOUS Veterans, WE SHALL NEVER GIVE UP FOR OUR HOME!!! YOUR SACRIFICES, BY GOD, WONT GO IN VAIN!!!!