Vietnam War Brigadier General Robin Olds

Vietnam War Brigadier General Robin Olds Born July 14, 1922, in Honolulu, HI, Robin Olds was the son of then-Captain Robert Olds and his wife Eloise. The oldest of four, Olds spent the majority of his childhood at Langley Field in Virginia where his father was stationed as an aide to Brigadier General Billy Mitchell. While there he also associated with key officers in the US Army Air Service such as Major Carl Spaatz. In 1925, Olds accompanied his father to Mitchells famed court-martial. Dressed in a child-size air service uniform, he watched his father testify on Mitchells behalf. Five years later, Olds flew for the first time when his father took him aloft. Deciding on a military career at an early age, Olds attended Hampton High School where he became a standout in football. Declining a series of football scholarships, he elected to take a year of study at Millard Preparatory School in 1939 prior to applying to West Point. Learning of the outbreak of World War II while at Millard, he attempted to leave school and enlist in the Royal Canadian Air Force. This was blocked by his father who forced him to stay at Millard. Completing the course of study, Olds was accepted to West Point and entered the service in July 1940. A football star at West Point, he was named an All-American in 1942 and later was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. Learning to Fly Selecting service in the US Army Air Forces, Olds completed his primary flight training in the summer of 1942 at the Spartan School of Aviation in Tulsa, OK. Returning north, he passed through advanced training at Stewart Field in New York. Receiving his wings from General Henry Hap Arnold, Olds graduated from West Point on June 1, 1943, after completing the academys accelerated wartime curriculum. Commissioned as a second lieutenant, he received an assignment to report to the West Coast for training on P-38 Lightnings. This done, Olds was posted to the 479th Fighter Groups 434th Fighter Squadron with orders for Britain. Fighting Over Europe Arriving in Britain in May 1944, Olds squadron quickly entered combat as part of the Allied air offensive prior to the invasion of Normandy. Dubbing his aircraft Scat II, Olds worked closely with his crew chief to learn about aircraft maintenance. Promoted to captain on July 24, he scored his first two kills the following month when he downed a pair of Focke Wulf Fw 190s during a bombing raid over Montmirail, France. On August 25, during an escort mission to Wismar, Germany, Olds shot down three Messerschmitt Bf 109s to become the squadrons first ace. In mid-September, the 434th began converting to the P-51 Mustang. This required some adjustment on Olds part as the single-engine Mustang handled differently than the twin-engine Lightning. After downing a Bf 109 over Berlin, Olds completed his initial combat tour in November and was given two months leave in the United States. Returning to Europe in January 1945, he was promoted to major the following month. On March 25, he received command of the 434th. Slowly increasing his score through the spring, Olds scored his final kill of the conflict on April 7 when he destroyed a Bf 109 during a B-24 Liberator a raid over LÃ ¼neburg. With the end of the war in Europe in May, Olds tally stood at 12 kills as well as 11.5 destroyed on the ground. Returning to the US, Olds was assigned to West Point to serve as an assistant football coach to Earl Red Blaik. Postwar Years Olds time at West Point proved brief as many older officers resented his rapid rise in rank during the war. In February 1946, Olds obtained a transfer to the 412th Fighter Group and trained on the P-80 Shooting Star. Through the remainder of the year, he flew as part of a jet demonstration team with Lieutenant Colonel John C. Pappy Herbst. Seen as a rising star, Olds was selected for a US Air Force-Royal Air Force exchange program in 1948. Traveling to Britain, he commanded No. 1 Squadron at RAF Tangmere and flew the Gloster Meteor. With the end of this assignment in late 1949, Olds became the operations officer for the F-86 Sabre-equipped 94th Fighter Squadron at March Field in California. Olds next was given command of the Air Defense Commands 71st Fighter Squadron based at the Greater Pittsburgh Airport. He remained in this role for much of the Korean War despite repeated requests for combat duty. Increasingly unhappy with the USAF, despite promotions to lieutenant colonel (1951) and colonel (1953), he debated retiring but was talked out of it by his friend Major General Frederic H. Smith, Jr. Shifting to Smiths Eastern Air Defense Command, Olds languished in several staff assignments until receiving an assignment to the 86th Fighter-Interceptor Wing at Landstuhl Air Base, Germany in 1955. Remaining abroad for three years, he later oversaw the Weapons Proficiency Center at Wheelus Air Base, Libya. Made Deputy Chief, Air Defense Division at the Pentagon in 1958, Olds produced as series of prophetic papers calling for improved air-to-air combat training and the increased production of conventional munitions. After assisting in generating the funding for the classified SR-71 Blackbird program, Olds attended the National War College in 1962-1963. Following graduation, he commanded the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Bentwaters. During this time, he brought over former Tuskegee Airman Colonel Daniel Chappie James, Jr. to Britain to serve on his staff. Olds left the 81st in 1965 after forming an aerial demonstration team without command authorization. Vietnam War After brief service in South Carolina, Olds was given command of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base. As his new unit flew the F-4 Phantom II, Olds completed an accelerated training course on the aircraft before departing to take part in the Vietnam War. Appointed to instill aggressiveness into the 8th TFW, Olds immediately placed himself on the flight schedule as a rookie pilot upon arriving in Thailand. He encouraged his men to train him well so that he could be an effective leader for them. Later that year, James joined Olds with the 8th TFW and two became known among the men as Blackman and Robin. Increasing concerned about F-105 Thunderchief losses to North Vietnamese MiGs during bombing missions, Olds designed Operation Bolo in late 1966. This called for 8th TFW F-4s to mimic F-105 operations in an effort to draw enemy aircraft into combat. Implemented in January 1967, the operation saw American aircraft down seven MiG-21s, with Olds shooting down one. The MiG losses were the highest suffered in one day by the North Vietnamese during the war. A stunning success, Operation Bolo effectively eliminated the MiG threat for most of the spring of 1967. After bagging another MiG-21 on May 4, Olds shot down two MiG-17s on the 20th to raise his total to 16. Over the next few months, Olds continued to personally lead his men into combat. In an effort to raise morale in the 8th TFW, he began growing a famed handlebar mustache. Copied by his men, they referred to them as bulletproof mustaches. During this time, he avoided shooting down a fifth MiG as he had been alerted that should he become an ace over Vietnam, he would be relieved of command and brought home to conduct publicity events for the Air Force. On August 11, Olds conducted a strike on the Paul Doumer Bridge in Hanoi. For his performance, he was awarded the Air Force Cross. Later Career Leaving the 8th TFW in September 1967, Olds was made Commandant of Cadets at the US Air Force Academy. Promoted to brigadier general on June 1, 1968, he worked to restore pride in the school after a large cheating scandal had blackened its reputation. In February 1971, Olds became director of aerospace safety in the Office of the Inspector General. That fall, he was sent back to Southeast Asia to report on the combat readiness of USAF units in the region. While there, he toured bases and flew several unauthorized combat missions. Returning to the US, Olds wrote a scathing report in which he offered deep concerns in regard to a lack of air-to-air combat training. The following year, his fears were proven true when the USAF incurred a 1:1 kill-loss ratio during Operation Linebacker. In an effort to aid the situation, Olds offered to take a reduction in rank to colonel so that he could return to Vietnam. When this offer was refused, he elected to leave the service on June 1, 1973. Retiring to Steamboat Springs, CO, he was active in public affairs. Enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2001, Olds later died on June 14, 2007. Olds ashes were interred at the US Air Force Academy. Selected Sources Robin Olds: BiographyAce Pilots: Major Robin Olds in World War IIUS Air Force: Legendary Fighter Pilot Robin Olds Dies

How You Can Get an ACT Fee Waiver Complete Guide

How You Can Get an ACT Fee Waiver Complete Guide SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Do you feel like testing costs are presenting a barrier in your path to college? The good news is, you might be eligible for an ACT fee waiver, which waives the cost of taking the ACT. In this article, we help you figure out whether you’re eligible to get an ACT fee waiver form. We also discuss what the waiver covers and doesn't cover, as well as the steps you must take to use your fee waiver while registering for the ACT. But first, let’s look at who is eligible for an ACT fee waiver. ACT Fee Waiver Eligibility Criteria In order to get an ACT fee waiver, you first need to check that you're eligible for one. Here is the criteria you must meet: Be enrolled in high school (11th or 12th grade) Be a U.S. citizen or an international student testing in the US, US territories, or Puerto Rico Meet one or more of the indicators of economic need listed below: You’re enrolled in a federal free or reduced-price lunch program at school, based on USDA income levels (see table below) You’re enrolled in a program for the economically disadvantaged (for example, a federally funded program such as GEAR UP or Upward Bound) You reside in a foster home, are a ward of the state, or are homeless Your family receives low-income public assistance or lives in federally subsidized public housing Your family’s total annual income is at or below the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) levels for free or reduced-price lunches listed below USDA Income Level Guidelines (2017-18) Members in Household* Total Annual Income 1 $22,311 2 $30,044 3 $37,777 4 $45,510 5 $53,243 6 $60,976 Each additional member Plus $7,733 per member Source: ACT.org *Members in household include filer. If you’re not on Free and Reduced Lunch but meet one of the other requirements, you might have to providedocumentation, such as tax records, to prove your eligibility. Now that you know whether or not you’re eligible, let’s look closer at exactly what the ACT fee waiver does and doesn't cover in terms of costs. What Does the ACT Fee Waiver Cover? The ACT fee waiver covers the basic registration fee for either the ACT without Writing or the ACT with Writing.If you’re eligible, you can get a maximum of two waivers, meaning you will be able to take the ACT for free twice. Fee waivers are valid through August 31 each year, so you might have to get one waiver your junior year and the other your senior year.You can also waive the fee to send one score report to your high school and up to four score reports to colleges. Speak with your guidance counselor to learn more about how your school handles ACT fee waiver distribution. What Does the ACT Fee Waiver NOT Cover? The ACT fee waiver doesn't cover late registration fees if you register past the normal deadline. It also doesn't cover fees forchanges in your registration, such as changes to your test date, test center, or test option (with or without Writing), or standby if you wish to be put on a waitlist. As mentioned above, the fee waiver will cover four score reports to colleges. Any additional score reports will have to be paid for. Currently, they are $13 each. Finally, a fee waiver can only be used once for registration. If you miss the test you signed up for, you can’t use the same fee waiver again. So make sure you don’t miss your test! How to Get an ACT Fee Waiver To get an ACT fee waiver, first speak with your school counselor. Counselors receive the fee waivers directly and are responsible for getting them to students. This doesn’t mean you should wait for your counselor to come to you, though. As you design your testing plan, get this taken care of early- ideally by the beginning of your junior year.This way you can confirm that you'll have the fee waiver before you choose a test date. When you register for the ACT, you'll need to enter your ACT fee waiver code- i.e.,the serial number printed in the top-right corner of your fee waiver form. If you have any additional charges not covered by the fee waiver, such as extra services or test-date changes, you'll have to pay for these by credit card before you finish registering. If you don't have any other charges, your registration for the ACT will be completely free! 3 ACT Prep Tips If You're Using an ACT Fee Waiver Before you take the ACT, you need to know how to prepare and study effectively in order to get a good score on test day. Here are three tips for those who have secured an ACT fee waiver: #1: Prepare Ahead of Time Preparation is the #1 factor to improving your ACT scores, but you need to make sure you’re prepping right. This means you must do the following: Understand your strengths and weaknesses Use high-quality ACT prep materials Set manageable goals Understand the ACT format and the skills being tested You can alsocheck outour free ebook detailing the five most important tips all students need to know to master the ACT. #2: Choose a Test Date and Center That Work Well for You As we mentioned above,sign up for a test date and centerthat'll work for your schedule. You can’t reuse the same ACT fee waiver should you miss your test, so it's critical to pick a place you won't have trouble getting to and a time you won't miss. If you are limited to taking the ACT twice (since you can get a maximum of two fee waivers), you'll want to design your testing plan around this fact. Almost all students improve their ACT scores on a second attempt, and many colleges will superscore your ACT score(i.e., consider your highest section scores across all dates to calculate your strongest composite score). In terms ofoptimal test dates, many students test in the spring of their junior year and again in the early fall of their senior year. With careful planning and customized preparation, you'll be able to maximize your two (free) ACT testing opportunities. #3: Use Realistic Practice Tests Whether you're taking the ACT once or twice, make sure totake official ACT practice tests under simulated testing conditions as you prep. By timing yourself, taking short breaks, and even practicing on a Saturday morning (as you'll do on the real test), you'll gradually get used to the ACT's pacing and develop the stamina you need to perform your best on test day. Recap: Getting and Using an ACT Fee Waiver All in all, getting and using an ACT fee waiver is a pretty simple process, as long as you know where to start. Before you apply for a fee waiver, check the ACT website to confirm that you are eligible. Then, talk to your counselor to get more information on how to apply and send one in. The ACT fee waiver covers the full cost of the ACT (with or without Writing) but does not cover extra charges such as changes to your test date or test center. Note that you can get up to two fee waivers in total, and you can't use the same fee waiver for more than one test. In terms of tips, make sure you have access to your fee waivers well ahead of registration for your preferred test date. Also, definitely communicate with your school counselor, as he or she will have access to the fee waivers and will be there to support you throughout the college process. If you plan to get two ACT fee waivers, make sure you have enough time to take the ACT twice. Don’t wait until senior year to get your first fee waiver since this likely won't give you enough time to take the ACT more than once. What’s Next? Curious about other ACT costs?Learn how much the ACT costs in full and get useful tips on how to save money on the ACT. How long is the ACT?Get familiar with the timing and pacing of the testso that you can prepare yourself effectively for test day. Aiming for perfection? Read expert tips and strategies from a 36 full scorer. Even if you're not aiming this high, our guide is helpful for improving scores at any level! Want to improve your ACT score by 4+ points? Download our free guide to the top 5 strategies you need in your prep to improve your ACT score dramatically.

International Finance (concept of value in corporate finance ) Essay

International Finance (concept of value in corporate finance ) - Essay Example In the statement of Broughton in regard to value, reference is also made to risk, as influencing value. The methods used for pricing risk are analyzed below. At the same time, the different levels of risk related to different cash flows are explained. In this way, the concept of value, which is highly influenced by risk, is made clearer. Being aware of value, as part of business environment, and risk, it is easier to understand the criteria on which the identification of a firm’s future value will be based. At a first level, the statement of Broughton (2010) on value and its role in business should be critically analyzed. Then it would be possible to explain the interaction between value and risk, as these two concepts can highly affect business processes. In any case, reference should be primarily made to the context of value; then, its aspects would be easier understood. Abrams (2004) notes that a general definition of value cannot reflect the precise nature or the role of v alue. However, Abrams (2004) explains that such definition cannot be rejected. Rather it should be used as the basis for developing an accurate definition of value. For example, reference can be made to the following definition: ‘value is a fair return or equivalent in goods, services or money for something exchanged’ (Abrams 2004, p.6). This definition is accurate, as possible; still, it is not effective enough for covering all aspects of the activities of a particular organization. The definition of business value provided by Babar (2010) reflects another aspect of the specific concept; according to the above researcher business value ‘is defined according to the level that the customer uses a particular product’ (Babar 2010, p.136). A series of standards, as for example ‘the Fair Market Value and the Investment Value’ (Abrams 2004, p.6) has been introduced for ensuring that the different aspects of value, as an element of the business enviro nment are made clear. Kontio and Conradi (2002) promote the following definition of value: ‘value is the trade-off between benefits and sacrifices’ (Kontio and Conradi 2002, p.260). It is also made clear that in business value can be related both to monetary and non-monetary elements; for example, in business area, value can be used for reflecting the position of an organization within the local or the international market (Kontio and Conradi 2002, p.260). Of course, the use of the term value for reflecting different aspects of organizational activities is always possible. For example, the term value can be use for showing the perceptions of a firm’s shareholders in regard to the financial status of their organization (Useem 1993); these perceptions are commonly described using the term shareholder value (Useem 1993). From a similar point of view, the term value can be used for showing the financial strength of an organization, as the firm’s managers evalu ate this strength after reviewing the firm’s financial performance but also its assets (Segal 2011). One of the key characteristics of