Pilot Hal Austin USAF (ret) to Speak on His Cold War Overflight of the USSR by Patrcia Korzec - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ OCTOBER ►
S M T W T F S
27 28 29 30 01 02 03
04 05 06 07 08 09 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
View Events
Submit Events

Pilot Hal Austin USAF (ret) to Speak on His Cold War Overflight of the USSR

By Patrcia Korzec, Community Writer
June 17, 2014 at 03:05pm. Views: 239

March Field Air Museum recently featured Col Hal Austin, USAF (ret ) as speaker in the Summer Briefing Series. This summer series is sponsored by Renaissance Village Moreno Valley. Nine years after the end of the Second World War, the Soviet Union and the United States, once allies, were engaged in the dangerous brinksmanship of the Cold War. Colonel “Hal” Austin, veteran USAF pilot and the crew of his swept-wing RB-47E Reconnaissance Bomber joined a select few who saw that pseudo war turn momentarily hot. On May 8, 1954, Col Austin, under secret orders from Strategic Air Command General Curtis LeMay, intentionally entered Soviet airspace over Murmansk on a mission to photograph and map Soviet air bases and the test Russian radar capabilities and air defense forces. Penetrating from the north, the high-flying RB-47E was intercepted and shadowed by several flights of low flying MiG-15 fighters clearly frustrated by their inability to reach the bombers altitude. Just over an hour into Soviet airspace, the RB-47E crew was surprised when cannon fire from more advanced MiG-17 fighters streaked past their bomber, one shell slamming into the RB-47Es left wing. The damaged bomber briefly returned fire and maneuvered to hold the Russians at bay. Photographing the last of nine of the Soviet airfields on their mission list, Col. Austin exited Soviet airspace and brought his aircraft and crew safely to England. Born August 28, 1924 near Sweetwater, Oklahoma, Colonel Austin’s military career spanned thirty-three years. He entered the US Army aviation cadet program September 1943 and retired as US Air Force Colonel in January 1977. Some of his career highlights include: Instructor pilot Air Training Command; pilot, Troop Carrier 1946/47; pilot Berlin Airlift 1948/49; in the Strategic Air Command (SAC) 25 years, Aircraft Commander, Squadron Commander, Staff Officer at SAC Headquarters, Base Commander and a SAC Aircraft Wing Commander. Also, staff officer with Joint Staff in Pentagon 1966/69; Command pilot, 10,000 flying hours in 22 different military aircraft; Cold War visual photo over flight of Soviet Union in RB-47E May 8, 1954. During his career he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit with 2 oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal and Meritorious Service Medal. Museum admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 5 to 12. March Field Air Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday. For more information about March Field Air Museum please contact Annie Lunetta at (951) 902-5949, annie@marchfield.org or visit www.marchfield.org.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: coltonca.gov

By Margie Miller, Publisher City News Group

October 28, 2026 at 06:00am. Views: 394

One of the most visible projects Navarro wants to advance is the city’s planned sports complex. He lists its development among his major accomplishments and says residents should evaluate another term partly by whether the city breaks ground and completes project phases. Read more about Mayor Frank Navarro...

Photo Courtesy of: Grand Terrace City Council

By Doug Wilson, Councilmember, Contributing Writer

October 28, 2026 at 06:05am. Views: 400

Councilman Doug Wilson, serving Grand Terrace since 2014 Speaks out about why he feels Grand Terrace residents deserve to know the facts about Measure “N,” the proposed one-percent sales tax initiative on the ballot this November 3rd.

Photo Courtesy of: The CARE Project inc.

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

October 20, 2026 at 03:09pm. Views: 766

Photo caption: The CARE Project’s Vice President, Diana Jaurigue, with President & Founder Carrie Madrid, who is wearing the LympheDIVAS compression sleeve on her left arm. Donated compression garments help manage swelling and are essential to daily care for many breast cancer survivors.

Photo Courtesy of: Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino

By Rachel Bonilla, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:37pm. Views: 282

Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) has once again partnered with ALDI for their annual volunteer event, where team members packed over 1,300 food boxes with various shelf-stable items to be distributed for disaster relief as needed.

Photo Courtesy of: CIty News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 1847

An October 2026 study from Loma Linda University suggests a simple dietary change may influence inflammation-related measures in older adults. A bowl of walnuts sits alongside a nutritious breakfast, illustrating the everyday dietary choice examined in Loma Linda University research.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 28, 2026 at 06:00am. Views: 238

Families enjoy a Halloween trunk-or-treat gathering with decorated vehicles, pumpkins and festive costumes. Grand Terrace has scheduled its 2026 Trunk or Treat celebration for October 31

Photo Courtesy of: coltonca.gov

By Margie Miller, Publisher City News Group

October 28, 2026 at 06:00am. Views: 416

Colton councilmember John Echevarria wants to expand his outreach to residents throughout the city, strengthen partnerships with county, state and federal officials, and build upon what he describes as a record of employee advocacy, neighborhood improvements and community involvement.Learn more about John Echevarria...

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI Illustration

By Hattie Strong, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 270

Loma Linda University Children's Health Specialty Clinics, a new five-story, 105,000-square-foot facility designed to bring more than 21 pediatric specialties together. The facility is expected to begin serving patients in early 2027.This is an AI-generated illustration, not a verified photograph of the actual building.

Photo Courtesy of: https://wellri.com

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 245

An October City announcement draws attention to an everyday household practice with benefits for food budgets, kitchen safety and the environment. A basket of fresh produce can represent a week's worth of meals, the results of a successful backyard harvest or an unexpected bargain at the grocery store. Yet without proper storage, even the freshest fruits and vegetables can spoil before a family has an opportunity to use them.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI Illustration

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 420

An October announcement highlights how investigative technology and cooperation among law enforcement agencies can help solve crimes affecting Grand Terrace neighborhoods. For residents of Grand Terrace, home is more than an address. It is where families gather, children grow up and neighbors build relationships over many years. When a residential burglary occurs, the effects can extend beyond the property taken or damage caused. A crime inside someone's home can undermine the sense of security that makes a neighborhood feel safe.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI Illustration

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 241

The rumble of a commercial truck passing through a city can represent two very different things. For a business awaiting a delivery, it may signal the arrival of essential supplies. For residents living near a busy roadway, it may raise concerns about traffic, noise and safety. In Grand Terrace, finding a reasonable balance between those interests is at the center of an ongoing transportation planning effort.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 03:49pm. Views: 667

Secure drop box is located outside the Grand Terrace Library, on the west end of the Civic Center building at 22795 Barton Road. According to the City, it will remain accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. The San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters is responsible for operating the box, collecting ballots and transporting them for election processing.

--> -->