PRESS CONFERENCE TO FEATURE TRIPLE ACE BRIG. GEN. ROBIN OLDS

MIDLAND, Texas (September 18, 2004) – Retired Air Force Brig. General Robin Olds will be featured in a press conference 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 30, 2004, at the Salute to American Airmen in Vietnam exhibit (north of the hangar) at the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), in Midland, Texas. Olds will be one of eight individuals inducted into the CAF's American Combat Airman Hall of Fame scheduled to take place Friday, Oct. 1, 2004, at the Midland Center in Midland, Texas .

A bit of a maverick, Olds became a triple ace in two wars, flying more than 100 combat missions in World War II and more than 150 combat missions during the Vietnam conflict. As a 22-year old fighter pilot with the 479 th Fighter Group, he shot down two German fighters on his very first combat mission. As a 44-year old Colonel, Olds shot down four MiG jet fighters over North Vietnam . Known as a "pilot's pilot," with little use for things that kept him out of the cockpit, Olds finished his career with seventeen confirmed victories.

One of the most charismatic and outspoken fighter pilots to serve his country, Olds, will discuss his distinguished 30-year career. Olds holds many of our country's highest decorations, including the Air Force Cross, the Silver Star with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross with five Oak Leaf Clusters. Olds currently resides in Steamboat Springs , Colo.

Tickets for the American Combat Airman Hall of Fame banquet and dinner are on sale for $100 per person. For more information about tickets please contact Alyson McInturff at (432) 563-1000, ext. 2231.

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