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

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.