OLAA Pilot: Robert Karre

I was born and raised in north central Nebraska. I graduated from high school in 1955 and entered the Air Force when I was seventeen.  After Basic Training, I became an Air Traffic Controller.  Seven years later, I entered Officer Candidate School from Chateauroux, France.  When I graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant, I entered Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, Texas.  I graduated in 1964 and remained at Laughlin as an Instructor Pilot for four years.  In 1968, I was assigned to fly the A-1 Skyraider in Southeast Asia.  I served with the 6th SOS at Pleiku Air Base for my first 7 months.  A short PCS assignment to NKP due to the Vietnamization process lasted under 2 weeks.  Then, it was back to Pleiku and Da Nang Air Base assigned to a series of Detachments that became OLAA.  In this regard, I was a Flight Commander for my final four months prior to returning home.  I finished my tour in March 1970, with 573.3 combat hours and 255 combat missions.   

 

My next assignment sent me to Randolph AFB to fly the T-39 and T-38 as an Instructor for Instructor Pilots in Training.  I was promoted to Major at Randolph and left for Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB.  After Maxwell, I went to Shaw AFB as a Monitor for Guard and Reserve Units east of the Mississippi.  When I finished that tour I was sent to perform as an Air Liaison Officer at V Corps in Frankfurt, Germany.  Following a three year tour, I was assigned to HQ Allied Forces Central Europe in Brunsum, The Netherlands.  I was an Exercise Planner for NATO Exercises for three years.  After 6 years in Europe, I returned to Shaw AFB as a Monitor for ALO/FAC Units assigned to the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  In preparation for that tour I attended Jump School and made 30 parachute jumps with various Army units.  

 

In 1987, I finally retired at Fort Bragg as a full Colonel and returned to Converse, Texas.  There I became a teacher in Secondary Schools for Special Needs Children.  After 8 years, I left that second career to become a writer/publisher for the Order of Daedalians, a Fraternal Order of Military Pilots.  I was the Editor and also served on the Scholarship Committee.  After 15 years, my health began to decline and I further retired to a retirement community. In the late 1990’s, I found time to serve on the City Council of Converse, Texas for four years.  Finally, as my health continued to deteriorate, I settled in my apartment with my wife, Janice.  We have 3 children and six grandchildren.

Status:
Pilot Contact Info:
Have Pilot Bio:
Have Form 5:
Have Form 20b:
Have Interview:
Have Orders:
OLAA-ID: 3-1      
Flight Date: 12 Nov 69
Mission ID:
Tail # 713-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+40 (1.7)
  
Remarks: # Ferry Flight to Pleiku Detachment 3
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 4-1      
Flight Date: 13 Nov 69
Mission ID:
Tail # 616-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+40 (1.7)
  
Remarks: #Troop Area - 100/30m; 1 Military Structure; 2 SU-11; 4 BLU-32; 4 CBU-25
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 4-2      
Flight Date: 13 Nov 69
Mission ID:
Tail # 593-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+45 (2.7) N 1.3
  
Remarks: #Bunker Complex-Observation Post - 90/90m; 1 Secondary Exp; 3 Bunkers; 1 Observation Post BAM; 4 BLU-32; 4 CBU-25; 4 BLU-32
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 5-1      
Flight Date: 14 Nov 69
Mission ID:
Tail # 275-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 4+00 (4.0)
  
Remarks: #Troops In Contact- NVR - 4 BLU-32; 4 CBU-25
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 6-1      
Flight Date: 15 Nov 69
Mission ID:
Tail # 593-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 3+15 (3.3)
  
Remarks: # Truck Park - 100/20m; 1 Small Secondary ; 4 BLU-32
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 9-1      
Flight Date: 18 Nov 69
Mission ID:
Tail # 713-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+45 (1.7)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 11-1      
Flight Date: 20 Nov 69
Mission ID:
Tail #
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+50
  
Remarks: This mission does not show in Karre Form 5’s
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 12-1      
Flight Date: 21 Nov 69
Mission ID:
Tail # 665-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 3+05 (3.1)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 12-2      
Flight Date: 21 Nov 69
Mission ID:
Tail # 665-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+20 (2.3) N 0.3
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 13-1      
Flight Date: 22 Nov 69
Mission ID: FCF?
Tail # 517-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 0+40 (0.8)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 13-2      
Flight Date: 22 Nov 69
Mission ID:
Tail # 370-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+50 (1.8)
  
Remarks: To NKP Ferry?
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 13-3      
Flight Date: 22 Nov 69
Mission ID:
Tail # 638-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+50 (1.8)
  
Remarks: From NKP to DNG Ferry
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 17-1      
Flight Date: 26 Nov 69
Mission ID:
Tail # 077-J
Location: Remarks column???
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+30 (1.5)
  
Remarks: Some ? ; Smoke ; No Visual Reference
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 20-1      
Flight Date: 29 Nov 69
Mission ID:
Tail # 517-H
Location: IC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 4+30 (4.5)
  
Remarks: Effed Up Tac Sit at Duc Lap ??? ; 100/30; NVR
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 20-1      
Flight Date: 29 Nov 69
Mission ID:
Tail # 517-H
Location: IC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+00 (1.0)
  
Remarks: Return PM Phu Cat
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 22-3      SAR
Flight Date: 01 Dec 69
Mission ID:
Tail # 077-J
Location: IC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 3+55 (3.9) 3.9N
  
Remarks: #2 BLU-32; 8 CBU-25; 2 CBU-22; Night Strike on Bu Prang - 100/75 SAR Boxer 05 (Bob’s notes??? Not in PjsinNam)
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 24-1      
Flight Date: 03 Dec 69
Mission ID: 1533
Tail # 077-J
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 4+30 (4.5)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 24-4      
Flight Date: 03 Dec 69
Mission ID: 1537
Tail # 077-J
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 4+30 (4.5)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 25-1      
Flight Date: 04 Dec 69
Mission ID: 1534
Tail # 077-J
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 3+00 (3.0)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 27-1      
Flight Date: 06 Dec 69
Mission ID: 1532
Tail # 314-H
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 5+05 (5.1)
  
Remarks: Bob Karre Form 5 shows this one entry!
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 28-1      
Flight Date: 07 Dec 69
Mission ID: FCF?
Tail # 314-H
Location: IC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 0+30 (0.5)
  
Remarks: 100 LC???
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 28-2      
Flight Date: 07 Dec 69
Mission ID: 1539
Tail # 314-H
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 3+20 (3.3)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 28-3      
Flight Date: 07 Dec 69
Mission ID:
Tail # 622-H
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+50 (1.8) N 1.8
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 29-1      
Flight Date: 08 Dec 69
Mission ID: 1532
Tail # 665-H
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 4+40 (4.7)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 30-2      
Flight Date: 09 Dec 69
Mission ID:
Tail # 028-J
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: (1.00)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 30-3      
Flight Date: 09 Dec 69
Mission ID:
Tail # 028-J
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: (4.0) 1.5N
  
Remarks: Form 5 Entry Only Listed late
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 31-1      SAR
Flight Date: 10 Dec 69
Mission ID: 1532
Tail # 628-H
Location: OC PKU –DNG
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 3+06E(5.3)
  
Remarks: #SAR - 4 BLU-32 / 2 CBU-22 Form 5 Shows (5.3) w/2 Sorties??? Flew with Don E twice DFC Mission Karre & Don E silenced guns
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 31-2      
Flight Date: 10 Dec 69
Mission ID: 4599
Tail # 628-H
Location: 280/20/94 - 305/17/107 DNG-PKU
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+10E(5.3)
  
Remarks: # Enemy Location - 100/100; NVR; 10-CBU-25 Landed at DNG for fuel and rearm. Picked up another strike on the way home to PKU
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 44-1      SOG
Flight Date: 23 Dec 69
Mission ID: 1533
Tail # 803-H
Location: OC 360/65/72
Team Name: Good Girl
Hours Flown: 2+20 (2.3)
  
Remarks: #SOG - 100/60; NVR; 4 BLU-32; 2 CBU-25
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 44-2      
Flight Date: 23 Dec 69
Mission ID: 1537
Tail # 799-H
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+10 (2.2)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 45-1      
Flight Date: 24 Dec 69
Mission ID: 1532
Tail # 799-H
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 3+30 (3.5)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 45-2      
Flight Date: 24 Dec 69
Mission ID: 1534
Tail #
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 4+00 No Form5
  
Remarks: ?????
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 46-1      
Flight Date: 25 Dec 69
Mission ID: 1535
Tail #
Location: IC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+00
  
Remarks: No Form 5 entry???
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 47-3      SAR
Flight Date: 26 Dec 69
Mission ID: SAR
Tail # 628-H
Location: 280/19/50
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+15 (2.3)*
  
Remarks: #4 Saves - UH-1 - NAUGHTY TAM KY DFC Mission Form 5 shows total 4.6 one mission with N 0.3
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 47-6      SAR
Flight Date: 26 Dec 69
Mission ID: SAR
Tail # 628-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: (2.3)* 0.3N
  
Remarks: Form 5 ENTRY Shows 4.6 Total 2-Sorties
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 48-1      
Flight Date: 27 Dec 69
Mission ID: 1533
Tail # 810-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 3+30
  
Remarks: Form 5 (7.5) Total -2 Sorties
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 48-2      
Flight Date: 27 Dec 69
Mission ID: 1537
Tail # 810-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 3+45 N 2.5
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 51-1      
Flight Date: 30 Dec 69
Mission ID: 1532
Tail # 810-H
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+20 (2.3)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 51-2      
Flight Date: 30 Dec 69
Mission ID: FCF?
Tail # 619-E
Location: IC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 0+30 (0.5)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 52-1      
Flight Date: 31 Dec 69
Mission ID: 1535
Tail # 021-J
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 5+00 (5.0)
  
Remarks: #Dumped Napes on ??? Dogs HD (Dogs Head) Form 5 Shows duplicate? Entries?
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 53-1      
Flight Date: 01 Jan 70
Mission ID: 1533
Tail # 258-H
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 3+10 (3.2)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 56-1      
Flight Date: 04 Jan 70
Mission ID: 1532
Tail # 780-H
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 4+30
  
Remarks: Form 5 (6.8) Duplicate entry showing 6.8 twice
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 56-2      
Flight Date: 04 Jan 70
Mission ID: 1536
Tail # 780-H
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+15
  
Remarks: 20b shows the 2 Flights adding up to 6.8 total
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 58-1      
Flight Date: 06 Jan 70
Mission ID:
Tail # 810-H
Location: IC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 0+30 (0.5)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 58-2      
Flight Date: 06 Jan 70
Mission ID:
Tail # 618-H
Location: IC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+00 (1.0)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 59-1      
Flight Date: 07 Jan 70
Mission ID: 1535
Tail # 779-H
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 4+20 (4.3)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 62-1      
Flight Date: 10 Jan 70
Mission ID: 1634
Tail # 779-H
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 3+40 (3.7)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 66-1      
Flight Date: 14 Jan 70
Mission ID: 1632
Tail # 621-H
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+25 (1.4)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 69-1      
Flight Date: 17 Jan 70
Mission ID:
Tail # 575-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+20 (1.3)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 69-2      
Flight Date: 17 Jan 70
Mission ID:
Tail #
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+25
  
Remarks: No Form 5 Entry????
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 70-1      
Flight Date: 18 Jan 70
Mission ID: 1632
Tail # 628-H
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+35 (2.6) N 1.0
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 71-8      
Flight Date: 19 Jan 70
Mission ID:
Tail # 258-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: (1.50)
  
Remarks: Form 5 Entry only
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 74-5      
Flight Date: 22 Jan 70
Mission ID: 1636
Tail # 242-H
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+45
  
Remarks: # Cap Dead End; Struck with Covey 262; 100/25 NVR Form 5 combined 7.0???
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 75-1      SAR
Flight Date: 23 Jan 70
Mission ID:
Tail # 780-H
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+00 (2.0)
  
Remarks: #SAR Exercise
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 78-1      
Flight Date: 26 Jan 70
Mission ID: 1624 IP
Tail # 076-J
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+00 (2.0)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 78-2      
Flight Date: 26 Jan 70
Mission ID: 1680
Tail # 618-H
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+20 (2.3) 1.0N
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 81-1      
Flight Date: 29 Jan 70
Mission ID: 1625
Tail # 810-H
Location: IC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+00 (2.0)
  
Remarks: #Enemy Location See article below
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 82-3      
Flight Date: 30 Jan 70
Mission ID: 1624 IP
Tail # 077-J
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 3+45 (3.7)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 86-1      
Flight Date: 03 Feb 70
Mission ID: 1634
Tail # 680-H
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+35 (2.6)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 87-1      
Flight Date: 04 Feb 70
Mission ID:
Tail # 799-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+00 (2.0)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 88-1      
Flight Date: 05 Feb 70
Mission ID: 1624
Tail # 618-E
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 3+30 (3.6)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 89-1      
Flight Date: 06 Feb 70
Mission ID: IP
Tail # 619-E
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+45 (1.7)
  
Remarks: # NKP Ferry - Instrument Check
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 89-1      
Flight Date: 06 Feb 70
Mission ID:
Tail # 619-E
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+45
  
Remarks: # NKP Ferry Don E Form 5 shows total 3.4???
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 89-2      
Flight Date: 06 Feb 70
Mission ID:
Tail # 770-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+45
  
Remarks: Da Nang Ferry Back???
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 91-1      SAR
Flight Date: 08 Feb 70
Mission ID: SAR
Tail # 668-H
Location: Chu Lai
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+45 (1.7)
  
Remarks: #SAR - Pilots Picked Up By The Army
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 92-1      
Flight Date: 09 Feb 70
Mission ID:
Tail # 077-J
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 4+00 (4.0) N 1.0
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 93-1      
Flight Date: 10 Feb 70
Mission ID:
Tail # 077-J
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 3+10 (3.1)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 93-2      
Flight Date: 10 Feb 70
Mission ID:
Tail # 680-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+20 (2.3) 0.2N
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 94-6      
Flight Date: 11 Feb 70
Mission ID:
Tail # 619-E
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1.30 (1.5)
  
Remarks: DNG TO NKP...To P/U Wold after leave and give a Recurrency Check
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 94-7      
Flight Date: 11 Feb 70
Mission ID: IP
Tail #
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+00 (2.0)
  
Remarks: # NKP to Da Nang - Recurrency Check for Jim Wold Listed as an Instrument Check in Jim Wold records.
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 98-1      
Flight Date: 15 Feb 70
Mission ID:
Tail # 622-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 3+00 (3.0)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 99-1      SOG
Flight Date: 16 Feb 70
Mission ID: 1625
Tail # 077-J
Location: Tri Border
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 4+00 (4.0)
  
Remarks: # SOG - Ball Game
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 101-1      
Flight Date: 18 Feb 70
Mission ID:
Tail # 621-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 0+30 (0.5)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 102-1      
Flight Date: 19 Feb 70
Mission ID:
Tail # 618-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+30 (2.5)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 103-1      SAR
Flight Date: 20 Feb 70
Mission ID:
Tail # 680-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+45 (1.7)
  
Remarks: # SAR
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 105-1      
Flight Date: 22 Feb 70
Mission ID:
Tail # 370-H
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 2+15 (2.3)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 109-1      
Flight Date: 26 Feb 70
Mission ID:
Tail #
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+45
  
Remarks: No Form 5 for this flight
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 109-2      
Flight Date: 26 Feb 70
Mission ID:
Tail # 643-E
Location: OC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 1+35 (1.4)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 110-5      
Flight Date: 27 Feb 70
Mission ID: IP
Tail # 622-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: (8.3) N 4.3
  
Remarks: Form 5 Total for 2 Sorties??? WAS BOB KARRE CHECKING LARRY OUT FOR LEAD??? BOB DFC?
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 110-6      
Flight Date: 27 Feb 70
Mission ID: IP
Tail # 622-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: (8.3) N 4.3
  
Remarks: Form 5 Total for 2 Sorties??? WAS BOB KARRE CHECKING LARRY OUT FOR LEAD??? BOB DFC?
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 113-1      
Flight Date: 02 Mar 70
Mission ID: IP
Tail #
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: (2.60)
  
Remarks: No Tail Number in Form 5 (last month)
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 114-1      
Flight Date: 03 Mar 70
Mission ID: IP
Tail #
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: (3.70)
  
Remarks: No A/C numbers in Mar Form 5 (last month)
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 116-2      
Flight Date: 05 Mar 70
Mission ID: IP
Tail #
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: (3.60)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 121-5      
Flight Date: 10 Mar 70
Mission ID: IP
Tail #
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: (2.80)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 122-4      
Flight Date: 11 Mar 70
Mission ID:
Tail #
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: (3.70)
  
Remarks: No Form 5 Tail Number and it shows FP flight, not IP??
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 123-2      
Flight Date: 12 Mar 70
Mission ID: FCF?
Tail #
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: (0.40)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 127-5      
Flight Date: 16 Mar 70
Mission ID: IP
Tail #
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: (1.70)
  
Remarks: With Dave Friestad??? Bob Karre’s last flight in Vietnam!
Tags: