Robert (Bob) B. Blanchard's life has been one of service, adventure, and dedication. From his early years in a small farming community in Eastern North Carolina to his time as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force (USAF) and later as a pilot for Western Airlines and Delta, Bob has always embraced challenges with enthusiasm and determination.

 

Bob's journey began in Wallace, North Carolina, where he grew up in a close-knit community. His father was involved in various businesses, including fresh vegetable produce brokering, owning a tobacco warehouse, and running an automobile dealership. Bob's childhood was marked by hard work, as he started working in the fields at the young age of 8 or 9, helping with tasks like cropping tobacco and picking beans, squash, peppers, and cucumbers. Sundays were reserved for attending multiple church services.

 

Despite the demanding farm work, Bob pursued his education in his hometown before enrolling at North Carolina State University. In January 1962, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the USAF through the Air Force ROTC program.

 

Following graduation, Bob embarked on a career in the Air Force. He began as a management trainee for International Paper in Mobile, Alabama, before commencing pilot training in Class 63H at Reese AFB, Texas. While the Air Force was transitioning to the supersonic T-38 trainer for advanced pilot training, Bob was among the last groups to fly the T-33.

 

His assignments eventually led him to Misawa Air Base in Japan, where he joined the 4th Fighter Interceptor Squadron during the height of the Cold War. The squadron's mission was to intercept unidentified targets picked up by radar over the Sea of Japan or those encroaching on Japanese airspace, often engaging Russian bombers. Bob vividly remembers using handheld 35mm cameras in the cockpit to photograph these encounters.

 

Flying over Northern Japan was challenging due to harsh weather conditions, particularly during winters, characterized by low visibility.

 

What was flying a fighter squadron like? “It was challenging, but I loved it,” he thoughtfully reflects.

 

Bob was then assigned to Da Nang Air Base in South Vietnam in response to the Gulf of Tonkin incidents in August 1964. His mission was to intercept, identify, and engage unidentified targets picked up on radar approaching from the north and west of the DMZ. Bob says, “Our combat pay was $55 a month, which was less than $2 a day.”

 

The challenges extended beyond the skies. Bob and his fellow pilots faced curfews and relied on bicycle-powered jitneys for transportation to and from the airport and the downtown Officers Club in Saigon. Despite the difficulties, they found camaraderie in the war from their vantage point in the sky.

 

After his service in Vietnam, Bob continued his career in the USAF, with assignments that involved weapons development, testing different weapon systems, and advanced fighter aircraft. He eventually retired from active duty in March 1968, at the request of his wife, who told him, “If you want to marry me, you have to get out of the service.”

 

However, Bob's journey was far from over. He joined Hughes Aircraft Company in California, working as a project engineer. During this time, he also joined the California Air National Guard, which provided him with opportunities to fly multi-engine aircraft.

 

Bob's entry into the world of commercial aviation occurred in February 1969 when he was hired by Western Airlines. His aviation career continued for a remarkable 30 years, covering both his time at Western and later with Delta Airlines.

 

Through his years in commercial aviation, Bob flew to various destinations, including Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii, with Western Airlines. He witnessed the industry's challenges, such as the fuel crisis in 1973 and the deregulation of the airline industry in 1978, before Western Airlines merged with Delta in 1986. Bob enjoyed being a commercial pilot, flying countless people safely to their destinations. He retired from Delta Airlines in August 1999 as a B-727 Captain based in Los Angeles.

 

Bob Blanchard's life has been marked by dedication to service, a love for aviation, and a deep sense of adventure. From his early days in Eastern North Carolina to his time in the USAF, and his long and successful career as a commercial pilot, Bob's journey has been nothing short of remarkable. His contributions to aviation and his commitment to his country will always be celebrated. He is also thrilled that his granddaughter, an Air Force Academy graduate, recently got her wings and he couldn't be happier that she is following in his footsteps!