An NKC-135A Airborne Laser Laboratory with an A-7 over the Pacific Missile Test Center range - April 1983

🛫Operation BOLO and Colonel Robin Olds:

Already a double ace from WWII flying P-38s and P-51s, he took command of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing the Wolfpack at Ubon, Thailand in 1966. He flew the F-4 Phantom and was done playing defense against the enemy’s MiGs.

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The North Vietnamese Air Force was sending MiG-21s up to jump American strike packages and then running back to safety. Olds decided enough was enough. He masterminded Operation Bolo... a bold trap designed to lure those MiG-21s into a fight they couldn’t win.

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Here’s what he did: Olds had his F-4 Phantoms fly the exact same routes, altitudes, and formations the bomb-laden F-105 Thunderchiefs normally used. The MiG-21s took the bait and came up thinking they had easy targets. What they got was an ambush. In about 12 minutes, 7 MiG-21s were shot down. Zero American losses.

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Olds and the Wolfpack wiped out roughly half of North Vietnam’s operational MiG-21 force in one mission. Olds himself added 4 kills during his tour, bringing his lifetime total to 16 and making him a triple ace! Aggressive, tactical, and all fighter pilot. Col. Olds was promoted to Brigadier General when he returned stateside and became the Commandant of Cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He retired in 1973. This is the kind of bold airpower and leadership that helped build America’s edge in the skies. Salute to Colonel Robin Olds and every Wolfpack crewman. 🇺🇸🫡#RobinOlds #OperationBolo #F4Phantom #VietnamAviation

Happy Flag Day!