March mustache madness at ARPC

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Belinda Petersen
  • Air Reserve Personnel Center Public Affairs
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Walking around the beautiful open Air Reserve Personnel Center this month, you may have noticed several team mates who do not look their usual self. While the facility is less than two years old, one tradition is alive and well here, dating back to 1965.

The tradition is an annual event occurring during the month of March where Total Force Airmen grow their "bullet-proof" mustaches to honor Brig. Gen. Robin Olds.

Olds is rated a triple ace, having shot down 17 enemy aircraft during World War II and the Vietnam War. He began his combat flying in a P-38 Lightning during World War II, and at the end of the war he was flying a P-51 Mustang. He was credited with 107 combat missions and 12 aircraft shot down.

During the Vietnam War in October 1966, Olds entered combat flying in an F-4 Phantom II. He completed 152 combat missions and shot down two Mig-17 and two Mig-21 aircraft.

Not only was he famous for his skills as a decorated fighter pilot, he was also famous for his extravagantly waxed, handlebar mustache he wore in Vietnam. It was a mark of his individuality.

"Generals visiting Vietnam would kind of laugh at the mustache," Olds said in his biography, "Fighter Pilot - The Memoirs of Legendary Ace Robin Olds." "I was far away from home. It was a gesture of defiance. The kids on base loved it. Most everybody grew a mustache."

Several Airmen at ARPC have been growing their mustaches for a month. On the last duty day in March, in the photo are some of them sporting their best mustaches. From left to right:

Brig. Gen. Jay Flournoy, commander
Bob Orton, Assignments Branch
Col. Felix Losco, staff judge advocate
Lt. Col. Eric Burgener, director, Future Operation and Integration
Col. Ken Klein, vice commander
Senior Master Sgt. John Neeley, first sergeant

Who has the best mustache? Who will shave it before returning to work April 1, like Olds did in April 1965 when he reported back to his home station? The Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. McConnell walked up to him, stuck a finger under his nose and ordered, "Take it off." Olds replied, "Yes, sir."