• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!

    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

50 years ago today

NutmegCT

Great Pumpkin
Bronze
Offline
On 14 October 1962, a U-2 from the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, based at Laughlin Air Force Base near Del Rio, Texas, and piloted by Major Richard S. Heyser, flew over Cuba.

Among the photos from that flight was the one below, showing the Soviet military installing nuclear warhead missiles in Cuba, precipitating the Cuban Missile Crisis.

In the 30 days which followed, I remember my dad bringing home Civil Defense plans for building a bomb shelter in the back yard. I was 14 years old; this was not a good time.

Tom
 
BIL was living at the Cape, working for NASA, and tells about the low level photo shots over Cuba flown by fast movers from nearby base.

I was in Atlanta at the time, and best friend there was was in the National Guard. He was called up to stand guard at the AFB in Marietta....for 5 or 6 days. They had the base loaded with HOT (nuclear) B47's, manned at all times for immediate departure if needed.

It was a very worrisome time.
 
Back
Top