"Olds Flight" by Roy Grinnell. On September 9, 1972, Olds Flight, a flight of four McDonnell F-4D Phantom IIs was assigned the mission of combat air patrol (MIG CAP) in an area about 30 miles north-northwest of Hanoi, North Vietnam, in the vicinity of Thud Ridge. In Olds 1, Flight Lead, Captain John Madden and his Weapons System Operator, Capt. Chuck DeBellavue awaited their call to action from friendly GCI (ground controlled intercept). GCI reported MiG activity to the east. Olds 3 was the first to spot the MiG-21J on final approach into Phuc Yen Airfield. Olds1 engaged, locked on and fired two AIM 7 missiles. The missiles lost lock-on and impacted the ground. The MiG attempted to make a run for safety. Olds1, unable to re-engage, cleared Olds 3 to press the attack. The crew of Olds 3, Capt. Brian Tibbetts and 1st Lt. Bud Hargrove moved to within 500 feet of the MiG and shot it down with its 20mm cannon. As the flight rejoined, GCI again called MiGs. Olds1 made a slight turn to meet the MiGs head-on. Olds 3 climbed to cover Olds 1 as Olds 1 made a tight 8G turn behind the two MiG-19s and fired two AIM-9Js. The first missile exploded near the wingman sending him away in flames. The lead MiG increased his turn radius as Olds 1 fired a third AIM 9, striking the MiG in the afterburner section. The MiG continued on for a moment, started to slow roll, and Split S'd into the ground. Olds flight finished the day with one MiG-21, and two MiG-19s withoug losing any planes to enemy fighters. Those were Captain Chuck DeBellavue's fifth and sixth kills, making him the leading ACE and the second Air Force ACE of the war.
 

Page created by:
Patrick Mahon
Vero Beach Fl
dawg@gate.net

Excellent picture of a Phantom
http://www.oocities.org/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/4377/

Link about the old man Olds himself (i say that with reverence)

http://www.js-net.com/phantom/rolds.htm

pau