I had the distinct honor of meeting General Olds when he came to my base when I was in pilot training. He had long since retired, however, our Wing Commander knew him in Vietnam and invited him to fly with us and talk with us. He was everything people imagine he was. And here’s something else: while I was still trying to learn the ropes of the T-38, we watched Gen Olds climb in one, gaze around the cockpit, start engines, and take off. Afterwards, we learned he had not flown a T-38 for 15 years. But that was his piloting skill.
He spoke about combat, leadership, and patriotism. He walked around the flight rooms like a god, and we were amazed by him. That day, a student failed his T-38 formation check ride. We saw Gen Olds, meeting with him and encouraging him. The student passed the check ride 2 days later.
Years later, a General who I will not name here told a gathering of officers and enlisted that the Clinton administration was scape goating the Khobar Towers affair, and Gen Fogelman was probably going to resign because of that and the way Congress and the Clintons had politicized the Kelly Flynn case. General Fogelman did resign, and his resignation was completely lost on Congress and the American people. They seemed to not even care.
I saw General Fogelman and his wife about a year and a half ago. He became a millionaire in retirement through various business ventures. One was a porta-potty business that he launched that was wildly successful. I related to him that he encouraged and spoke to our squadron when we were flying missions into Bosnia, and he said he was grateful to have had those opportunities. He is a man of principle and integrity - just like Gen Olds.
Two years ago, Air Force members (on their own accord) launched “Mustache March.” Many officers and enlisted grew out of regulation mustaches as a tribute to General Olds.
Thanks.