Mustache March Madness

Part of the Air Force's greatness comes from tradition. 

In the fighter community tradition is huge.  Mustache March is one of those traditions that, for the dudes, is cool.  Most wives see it as their husband self inhibiting a month of celibacy for the sake of tradition. 

It all goes back to the greatest fighter pilot of all time, Brig Gen Robin Olds.  He was a TRIPLE ace, fighter pilot's fighter pilot...LEGEND.  We are actually reading his memoir right now...phenomenal read!

He was also the Commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, now the 8th Fighter Wing, which is where we were assigned to (in Korea '06-'07) when we met - Push it up Pantons!  He died in June 27, 2007, and our wing paid tribute to him.

We are in the formation (aka cluster of people) on the far left of this photo.  Photo courtesy of 8 FW Public Affairs.

Even though his official Air Force bio doesn't cover this (if you clicked the link to his bio you will notice the politically correct photo on it), part of his legacy is his handle bar mustache.  You can see, it's not pretty, but he does look bad ass.   

US Air Force Photo

Air Force leadership was not a fan of the 'stache, so growing it and keeping it became an act of defiance to the rules.  At one point in his career, he was ordered to shave it off...that's probably when they snapped the photo in his official bio. 

Anyway, pilots (and aircrew) everywhere channel the legend - during deployments (mostly overseas) and the month of March. 

Yeti definitely participates, and started at Day 1 today.  As much as Scrap/y hates kissing Yeti when that "growth" is present, it is a tribute that has to be made.  Mustache March has a Facebook Page in honor of Brig Gen Olds...you should check it out and like it!

Here's what we have to look forward to over the next month...

In Korea...we had been dating for about 7 months at this point.

Mustache during Scrap/y's deployment to Afghanistan, because clearly she can't grow one.  It was so fowl that the squadron named it Kevin!

Yeti looks a heck of alot like Robin Olds here..ultimate fighter pilot Mustache March photo!  This is Scrap/y's FAVORITE mustache photo of Yeti.

So, get your 'stache on!