I was a crew member on air refueling aircraft for most of my military career. We always made it so the mission was successful, mostly without the recognition. It was an honor to serve. NKAWTG
Interesting…at that time they knew when and what to keep secret and why it was necessary. Too bad they seem to have gotten it all backwards. It’s always amazing to learn of great sacrifice In conjunction with great accomplishments. Certainly bittersweet.
I was almost 4 when this happened so I don't remember it. However, I'm sure that my father (who always watched the national news which was 15 minutes long) was very impressed with the accomplishment.
I often think back to local TV and the nightly news; 15 mins local, 15 national. JFK assassination changed all that. Now we have 24hr news channels on TV, plus all the internet. Thanks for the comment, Dorothy.
It's extraordinary what the nation did and the behind the scenes heroism that took place during the supposed peacetime of the Cold War. Great article...thanks!
Great story about how America established its superiority early on in the Cold War. Sadly it’s reverse now and our country needs “refueling” to say the least. Rip to those who lost their lives in this great endeavor.
I was a crew member on air refueling aircraft for most of my military career. We always made it so the mission was successful, mostly without the recognition. It was an honor to serve. NKAWTG
Interesting…at that time they knew when and what to keep secret and why it was necessary. Too bad they seem to have gotten it all backwards. It’s always amazing to learn of great sacrifice In conjunction with great accomplishments. Certainly bittersweet.
We would probably be surprised at the things going on now that are being kept under wraps… on second thought, not sure I would want to know.
A great accomplishment for that time but a dear price to pay for the loss of the tanker crew.
God bless them.
😢❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
😄❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Something that I had no knowledge of. Pioneers of in flight refueling. I went to school with a guy that was lost in a air tanker crash. Dave Vickers.
First time I have heard of this heroic and sad story!
The Lucky LadyII crew hung on through thick and thin!
Not so for those aboard a fueler plane!!!
Thank you, Tara, for sharing this story!!
🇺🇲 Another moment in our history that I'd not known.
Thank you, TR! 🇺🇲
Thank you Tara.
👍👍👍
I was almost 4 when this happened so I don't remember it. However, I'm sure that my father (who always watched the national news which was 15 minutes long) was very impressed with the accomplishment.
I often think back to local TV and the nightly news; 15 mins local, 15 national. JFK assassination changed all that. Now we have 24hr news channels on TV, plus all the internet. Thanks for the comment, Dorothy.
It's extraordinary what the nation did and the behind the scenes heroism that took place during the supposed peacetime of the Cold War. Great article...thanks!
I didn’t know. Thank you Tara
Great story about how America established its superiority early on in the Cold War. Sadly it’s reverse now and our country needs “refueling” to say the least. Rip to those who lost their lives in this great endeavor.
Hope this flight put some fear into the Russians. So sorry to learn of the men who lost their lives in the tanker.
That was a tremendous technical challenge to which the USAF overcame. It certainly punched the envelope out a long ways! Very remarkable!