Robert J. Graham Interview with the Mitchell Institute
Recently, our Founder, Robert J. Graham, was invited onto the Aerospace Advantage Podcast produced by The Mitchell Institute. We wanted to share this interview with our clients and friends as it speaks to Bob’s service in protecting the United States and is an example of the selfless courage of a young fighter pilot. Here is a bit of Bob’s story in his own words.
https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/episode-139-flying-and-fighting-against-the-odds-a-cold-war-perspective/
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In Episode 139 of the Aerospace Advantage, Flying and Fighting Against the Odds: A Cold War Perspective, John “Slick” Baum chats with Col Robert Graham, USAF (Ret.) about the 500+ combat sorties he flew across four combat tours during the Vietnam War.
Surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), anti-aircraft artillery (AAA), air bases under attack, high pilot attrition, tremendous tactical and technical innovation, training shortfalls, and unwavering dedication to duty were all hallmarks of the air war over Vietnam. As the Air Force reorients itself to confront a national security environment defined by peer competition, it is critical we look back in time and learn from the experiences of airmen who confronted and overcame similar threats.
Col Graham’s experiences are harrowing, captivating, and incredibly instructive. Having flown the O-1 Bird Dog, F-100 Super Sabre, and F-4 Phantom in combat, he provided close air support in danger-close proximity to friendly units; operated amidst robust enemy air defenses; and got shot down off the end of his own runway by guerilla forces—yet he continued to fly sorties day-after-day as pilot attrition exceeded 20 percent. All the while, Col Graham seasoned a new generation of airmen entering the fight. These are all challenges tomorrow’s airmen will experience. Join us for this incredible conversation.
About The Mitchell Institute:
The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies is an independent, nonpartisan research organization established to provide fact-based policy options that better empower our nation’s leaders by
- Informing the national security debate
- Educating about the essential role of aerospace power in securing America’s global interests
- Cultivating aerospace-minded talent
This involves questioning established doctrine, organizational constructs, and operational concepts, asking whether there are better ways to meet national security goals. The Mitchell Institute provides independent analysis based on science, history, and data outlining the right solutions in the aerospace domain.
“The role of airpower is not only to fight and win wars if necessary, but to influence the behavior of other nations by actions short of war in support of national policy.” – Gen Laurence Kuter, USAF, Former Commander of NORAD