I published a magazine in southwest Texas from 2005-2008. We wrote a few stories about the U-2 program in Del Rio. One of the highlights was taking to Lt Col Charlie Kern (ret.) who told me more about my dad's fatal crash while returning from Cuba on 20 Nov 63. We're running that article this week, closer to the JFK assassination anniversary.

The other good one we have is the story of the Taiwanese Black Cat squadron U-2 pilot who was shot down over Cuba in 1964 and held prisoner by the Chicoms until 1984 -- 20 years! When he was dropped off unceremoniously in Hong Kong in 1984, Taiwan didn't want him back. He had to get his CIA contacts who were then retired to get him a passport back to the USA. He retired in Houston.

But... all of these U-2 stories are not as epic is the one about Huggy teaching this old bomber guy how to conduct wing landings in the T-28 at KRND. Man, flying the T-38 was a tough adjustment from the Buff, and formation was even harder for me. So... it was late in the afternoon and I was on the wing flying as a student IP in the backseat. Huggy had this huge noggin and a big-ass black helmet that no one could see over or around. I hadn't developed my peripheral vision yet, and lead cut his power, so I did too. The result was the most violently hard landing I've ever experienced. I mean my butt hurt and I was sure the main landing gear penetrated the top of those honeycomb wings. I was shocked the plane still taxied around after that landing. On the taxi back, Huggy didn't say a word. Not a word. I mean he was ****ed.