“This book is a must-read for all fighter pilots, history buffs, and patriots. The stories will fascinate the aviation veteran but will be just as interesting to the ‘everyman’. General Olds was a legend, a leader, a hero, a role model, and a genuine Sierra Hotel character.” --T. Allan McArtor, Chairman, Airbus Americas, former FAA Administrator, and fighter pilot
Product Description
The widely anticipated memoir of legendary ace American fighter pilot, Robin Olds
Robin Olds was a larger-than-life hero with a towering personality. A graduate of West Point and an inductee in the National College Football Hall of Fame for his All-American performance for Army, Olds was one of the toughest college football players at the time. In WWII, Olds quickly became a top fighter pilot and squadron commander by the age of 22—and an ace with 12 aerial victories.
But it was in Vietnam where the man became a legend. He arrived in 1966 to find a dejected group of pilots and motivated them by placing himself on the flight schedule under officers junior to himself, then challenging them to train him properly because he would soon be leading them. Proving he wasn’t a WWII retread, he led the wing with aggressiveness, scoring another four confirmed kills, becoming a rare triple ace.
Olds (who retired a brigadier general and died in 2007) was a unique individual whose personal story is one of the most eagerly anticipated military books of the year.
The Wings Club to Honor T. Allan McArtor With the 2010 Distinguished Achievement Award
**To Be Presented at the Club's 68th Annual Dinner-Dance on October 22, 2010**
NEW YORK, April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wings Club, recognized as the premier aviation club in the world, will honor Mr. T. Allan McArtor, Chairman of Airbus Americas, Inc., with the 2010 Distinguished Achievement Award. Acknowledging outstanding accomplishments in the field of aviation, The Wings Club will present the Award on Friday, October 22, 2010 at its 68th Annual Dinner-Dance to be held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Airbus Americas is the parent company of Airbus Americas Sales and Airbus North America Customer Services, Airbus North America Engineering and Airbus Alabama.
McArtor boasts an exceptional career in aviation that has led him to his current position. He was named Chairman in June 2001, with responsibility for overseeing the activities and strategy of Airbus in the U.S., Canada and Latin America in several key areas, including governmental affairs and Airbus industrial strategy in the U.S. plus the Tanker Steering Committee. Before joining Airbus, McArtor was the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Legend Airlines, a regional carrier based at Dallas Love Field in Texas. Prior to that, McArtor held a series of leadership and senior management positions in the military, civil and government sectors.
From 1979 to 1994, McArtor served on the senior management team of Federal Express Corporation as the head of all air operations except for two years (1987-1989) when President Ronald Reagan appointed McArtor to serve as the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As FAA Administrator, McArtor was credited with helping to regain public confidence in air transportation, while accelerating the modernization of air traffic control (ATC). He also increased FAA funding for ATC and other critical programs, including Extended Twin Operations (ETOPS) and Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). In addition, McArtor created the standards for current "Aging Aircraft" regulations and issued the industry's Stage III noise regulations.
McArtor was a highly decorated combat fighter pilot in Vietnam, an Associate Professor of Engineering Mechanics at the Air Force Academy, and capped his Air Force career as a pilot with the U.S. Air Force "Thunderbirds" Aerial Demonstration Team. He is a 1964 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy (BSE) and holds a Master's Degree (MSE) from Arizona State University. In 2009, he was awarded the Air Traffic Control Association's Glen A. Gilbert Memorial Award for outstanding life-long achievements by an individual in the field of aviation.
In addition to his executive responsibilities at Airbus, McArtor serves on the Board of Directors for The National Air & Space Museum (NASM); The European Institute; Washington Area Airports Authority; Aviation Safety Alliance; GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems; Committee for Economic Development; and The Wings Club (and former President). He also holds a board seat for a number of civic, industry, charity and educational groups, including the Falcon Foundation, Sabre Society, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital Professional Advisory Board, and the Air Force Memorial Foundation Board of Trustees.
The Wings Club's Distinguished Achievement Award has been presented annually since 1975. Past recipients include Astronaut Neil Armstrong, Senator John Glenn, former President George H. W. Bush, Brigadier General Charles E. Yeager, Steven Udvar-Hazy, as well as 13 present and former airline CEO's including Fred Smith, Bob Crandall, Herb Kelleher, Gordon Bethune, Sir Colin Marshall, Wolfgang Mayrhuber and Sir Richard Branson.
The Wings Club, founded in 1942, is the premiere aviation club in the world. Dedicated to preserve the history and traditions of aviation, the Club provides a forum for discussion and debate on aeronautical and aviation issues. The Wings Club serves approximately 1,100 members including industry leaders, pilots, professionals in related service organizations and students of aviation.
Recognizing significant achievements that contribute to the advancement of aeronautical and aviation matters, The Wings Club recognizes and honors people throughout the year with the Distinguished Achievement Award, Distinguished Scholar Awards and Outstanding Aviator Award. The Club also hosts Aviation Leader Series Luncheons that feature keynote speeches by industry leaders.
McArtor is Chairman of Airbus North America Holdings, Inc., parent company of Airbus North America Sales, Inc. and Airbus North America Customer Services, Inc., all located in Herndon, Virginia, Virginia, plus Airbus North America Engineering in Wichita, Kansas. Named Chairman in June 2001, McArtor oversees the activities of Airbus in the United States and Canada in several key areas, including governmental affairs. Airbus functions in North America include marketing and sales support for airlines and other customers, as well as product and technical support, and training for pilots, flight attendants and maintenance specialists.
Before joining Airbus, McArtor was founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Legend Airlines, a regional airline based at Dallas Love Field, Texas. Prior to that, McArtor held a series of leadership and senior management positions in the military, civil and government sectors.
From 1979 to 1994, McArtor served on the senior management team of Federal Express Corporation - except for two years (1987-1989) when President Ronald Reagan appointed McArtor to serve as the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). During that time, McArtor was credited with helping to regain public confidence in air transportation in the U.S., while accelerating the modernization of air traffic control (ATC). He was also active in gaining increased FAA funding for ATC and other critical programs, including Extended Twin OperationS (ETOPS) and Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). In addition, McArtor created the standards for “Aging Aircraft” regulations and issued the industry’s Stage III noise regulations.
While at Federal Express, McArtor’s responsibilities included oversight of maintenance, operation, training, scheduling and planning for the carrier’s global airline operations, including the successful merger of the Flying Tigers air cargo airline into the Federal Express operations and the development of the long-range fleet plan, which first introduced Airbus A300-600R freighters. Also at Federal Express, McArtor served as Senior Vice President for Telecommunications.
McArtor was a highly decorated combat fighter pilot in Vietnam, an Associate Professor of Engineering Mechanics at the Air Force Academy, and capped his Air Force career as a pilot with the U.S. Air Force “Thunderbirds” Aerial Demonstration Team. McArtor continues to hold a Commercial Pilot’s license (instrument rating, multi-engine) and is a member of Tau Beta Pi (engineering honorary society).
McArtor serves on the Board of Directors of: EADS North America, Inc.; The European Institute; Washington Area Airports Authority; Aviation Safety Alliance; GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems; Committee for Economic Development; and Platinum Research Organization, LLC. He is a member of the International Policy Committee and Homeland Security Committee, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He has also served on the boards of: Excel Communication, Inc.; Teleglobe of Canada; Learjet, Inc.; Fairchild Space and Defense Company (a MATRA company); and Angel Technologies. McArtor serves on the boards of a number of civic, industry, charity and educational groups, including the Falcon Foundation Executive Committee, Sabre Society, Air Force Memorial Foundation Board of Trustees, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Professional Advisory Board.
Allan and Grace McArtor have two sons and five grandchildren.
Vietnam War/Cease-Fire Campaign (1972-73)
From Month/Year
March / 1972
To Month/Year
January / 1973
Description
0n March 30, 1972, the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong opened a 3-pronged offensive, with the intention of defeating the Republic of Vietnam and reuniting Vietnam under a Communist regime, in a conventional attack supported with artillery and tarnks, the North Vietnamese crossed the DMZ into Quang Tri Province, occupying Quang Tri, the provincial capital, on May 1 and attacking Hue. In a second thrust, the Communists invaded the Central Highlands from Laos, isolating Kontum and cutting the highway between Pleiku and Qui Nhon. On April 5 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces crossed the border from Cambodia in the third phase of the offensive, capturing Loc Ninh on April 6 and besieging An Loc. By May 8, however, the enemy offensive had stalled; on June 10 the Communists withdrew from Kontum and on the 26th from An Loc. Two days later the Nonh Vietnamese retreated from Quang Tri, and on June 30 the South Vietnamese reopened the road to Pleiku.
U.S. air power contributed significantly to the battle. Although the USAF had reduced its forces in Southeast Asia to half of those present in mid-1968, it moved quickly to augment them. U.S. Navy. Marine. and Army aviation elements joined the USAF to provide airlift. interdiction. tactical reconnaissance, and close air support for the South Vietnamese. A week after the Communist offensive began. on April 6. the United States resumed systematic, sustained bombing of military and industrial targets in North Vietnam as far north as the 20th parallel. The next day Gen. John W. Vogt. Jr., USAF, became the Seventh Air Force Commander. On May 4 South Vietnamese and U.S. leaders suspended peace negotiations in Paris, and 4 days later, the United States imposed a naval blockade of North Vietnam, mining harbors at Haiphong, Vinh, and elsewhere along the coast. The United States also initiated LINEBACKER on May 8 - 1 of the largest air campaigns of the war. Targets included the rebuilt Paul Dourner Bridge in Hanoi, the Thanh Hoa Bridge, rail lines, a petroleum pipeline from China to Hanoi. power plants. marshaling yards, and other strategic and tactical objectives throughout North Vietnam. During Linebacker, on June 28. Gen. Frederick C. Weyand. USA, became the Commander of MACV.
Peace negotiations, suspended for two weeks, resurned in Paris on July 13, Anticipating a successful conclusion to the renewed peace talks. the United States halted the bombing of North Vietnsn above the 20th parallel as of October 23. But when negotiations stalled, the United States conducted an intensive aerial offensive, LINEBACKER ll, from December 18 to 30, against North Vietnam. B-52s and USAF and Navy tactical aircraft bombed Hanoi and Haiphong and their environs around the clock, concentrating on such targets as railyards, power plants, communication facilities, air defense radars, SAM and antiaircraft gun sites, petroleum tank farms, shipping facilities, ammunition dumps, and
MiG bases. On December 30, after peace talks resumed, the United States again ceased bombing north of the 20th parallel.
On January 23, 1973, North Vietnam and the United States agreed to a cease-fire, effective within 5 days. Part of the agreement called for the
North Vietnamese to release prisoners of war while the United States withdrew completely from South Vietnam. From February 12 to March 29, following the Vietnam Ceasefire, North Vietnam released 565 American POWs. ln OPERATION HOMECOMING, the 9th Aeromedical
Evacuation Group flew the POWs from Hanoi to Clark Air Base in the Philippines.
After the Vietnam Ceasefire Campaign, the Royal Laotian government signed a cease-fire agreement with the Pathet Lao on February 21, 1973.
USAF B-52s. nevertheless, flew missions against Communist forces in Cambodia until August 15, 1973, when the U.S. Congress mandated an
end to U.S. bombing in Southeast Asia.
The fighting had ended for American forces, but the Communists, resupplied and reequipped, soon escalated the ground war throughout
Southeast Asia. Within 2 years, on April 17. 1975. the Khmer Rougeoccupied all of Cambodia. On April 30 North Vietnam conquered South
Vietnam and unified the country. And on December 3, 1975, the Pathet Lao seized power in Laos, marking an end to an era of U.S. influence
in Southeast Asia.
