Kunsan Airmen pay tribute to triple ace fighter pilot

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Members of the 8th Fighter Wing, known as the "Wolf Pack," honored Brig. Gen. Robin Olds, who passed away June 14, during a commemoration event June 19. 

General Olds, former commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing and also known as the first "Wolf," was a triple ace fighter pilot who shot down 16 enemy aircraft during World War II and Vietnam. 

General Olds also achieved one of the wing's seven confirmed and two possible kills during the Operation Bolo mission on January 2, 1967, while flying with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, which was then a part of the 8th TFW. 

The day's commemoration event became even more significant because the 555th Fighter Squadron deployed here this week to integrate with the 8th FW as a part of their regular Air Expeditionary Force cycle. Members of the squadron were a part of the formation for the wing's retreat. 

During the ceremony, Col. C. Q. Brown, 8th FW commander, said General Olds would be remembered for a variety of heroic acts, his true leadership and being the founder of the "Wolf Pack." 

"Today we are here to honor an extraordinary Airman and true American hero," he said. "Memorial services are typically somber events, but today I'd like for the Wolf Pack to celebrate the life and contributions made to the United States and our Air Force by General Olds. For without the leadership of this phenomenal officer, our Air Force would not be the greatest in the world and the 8th Fighter Wing would be just another wing and not the renowned Wolf Pack." 

The event consisted of a wing retreat and a missing man formation flown by members of the 8th FW. The missing man formation is a way the Air Force commemorates a fallen comrade. 

"It was an honor to fly the 8th FW flag ship to commemorate "Wolf 1," said Col. Preston Thompson, 8th FW vice commander. "The position I flew in was the missing man position that left the initial formation in honor of our fallen comrade." 

Colonel Brown added that members of the current "Wolf Pack" should be honored to be associated with the legacy of General Olds. 

"Everyone present today should be honored to be associated with the legacy of General Olds," he said.  "I, for one, am personally humbled to have the opportunity to follow him in command of this historic and prestigious wing." 

Members of the "Wolf Pack" who attended the event agreed on the importance of taking the time to remember one of their fallen.
 
"It's really important for us to be here at this event today," said Senior Airman Shenequa Johnson," 8th Medical Group heath services administrator. "It reminds us that there's a reason we're here. We're here to carry on the legacy he left by the work that we do each and every day." 

To conclude the event, Colonel Brown honored General Olds by throwing a nickel on the grass, which is a fighter pilot tradition to recognize fallen comrades.
 
"From "Wolf 46" to "Wolf 1," sir, here is a nickel on the grass to you, your spirit, enthusiasm, sacrifice and courage," Colonel Brown said. 

Funeral services will be held for legendary fighter pilot at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, June 30. The services are open to the general public.

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