Old was the leading commander of the first non-stop round-the-world jet flight.
This was done with three heavy bombers in January 1957.
The jet aircraft were refueled in flight by aerial tankers.
Each eight engine jet carried a crew of nine.
The route was via Newfoundland, French Morocco, Saudi Arabia, India, Ceylon, Philippines, and Guam.
This historic project was given to Fifteenth Air Force by the Strategic Air Command headquarters.
It was known as Operation Power Flite.

Old flew the lead jet airplane out of the 93d Bombardment Wing at Castle Air Force Base in California.
Old took off from there on January 16, 1957.
He circled the globe non-stop in a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress jet and completed the trip on January 18.
He landed at March Air Force Base in California some 45 hours and 19 minutes later.
The total distance was 24,325 miles.
The average speed was 525 miles per hour.

Old told reporters that the flight was "merely a routine SAC mission.
The planning and preparation that went into the aerial circumnavigation were identical to what was demanded every day in the Fifteenth Air Force and the Strategic Air Command."
Old was the leading commander of the first non-stop round-the-world jet flight. This was done with three heavy bombers in January 1957. The jet aircraft were refueled in flight by aerial tankers. Each eight engine jet carried a crew of nine. The route was via Newfoundland, French Morocco, Saudi Arabia, India, Ceylon, Philippines, and Guam. This historic project was given to Fifteenth Air Force by the Strategic Air Command headquarters. It was known as Operation Power Flite.
Old flew the lead jet airplane out of the 93d Bombardment Wing at Castle Air Force Base in California. Old took off from there on January 16, 1957. He circled the globe non-stop in a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress jet and completed the trip on January 18. He landed at March Air Force Base in California some 45 hours and 19 minutes later. The total distance was 24,325 miles. The average speed was 525 miles per hour.
Old told reporters that the flight was "merely a routine SAC mission. The planning and preparation that went into the aerial circumnavigation were identical to what was demanded every day in the Fifteenth Air Force and the Strategic Air Command."
Archie J. Old Jr.