Ambassador of American Airpower

Robert Olds became a true ambassador of American airpower during the 1920s and 1930s, enabling his country to develop bonds that ultimately ensured success for the United States and its allies in World War II. At a time when traditional military thinking held that airpower would contribute to the isolation of America, Olds understood the importance of viewing airpower in terms of its globalizing effect. In many respects, Olds took on the role of America's airpower ambassador throughout his career. His experiences as a junior officer set the stage for future accomplishments. A week-long deployment to the isolated island of Molokai, Hawaii, in particular, marked Olds' first opportunity to act as an emissary. Later, as commander of Second Bombardment Group--the only organization in the Army Air Corps equipped with B-17 bombers--Olds led a pair of pioneering goodwill flights to Argentina and Brazil, helping to strengthen relationships among the American nations in their opposition to foreign aggression.