u2

Presentation: The U2 Spy Pilot, March 16

Spy Pilot / U-2 Presentation, March 16, 2024

Thank you for coming out to see our recent presentation.

The son of famed U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers presents the facts and dispels misinformation about the Cold War espionage program that turned his father into a Cold War icon, having been shot down in a U-2 spy plane over the Soviet Union in May 1960. On his return to the United States, Powers was exonerated of any wrongdoing while imprisoned in Russia, yet a cloud of controversy lingered until his untimely death in 1977. On Saturday March 16th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport is hosting the son, Francis Gary Powers Jr., who has written a new account of Powers’ life, delving into old audio tapes, letters his father wrote and received while imprisoned in the Soviet Union, the transcript of his father’s debriefing by the CIA, other recently declassified documents about the U-2 program, and interviews with the spy pilot’s contemporaries. Come hear about this and the son’s journey to understand his father, pursuing justice and a measure of peace. Almost sixty years after the fact, this is a fascinating piece of Cold War history.

We are working on the video replay, but for now please check out his website at: http://garypowers.com/

2024-04-04T19:18:47-07:00January 23rd, 2024|News|

U2 Spy Pilot Event – Nov 6th

This event was a success!  Thank you all who came out to hear this incredible story.

We hosted a talk by Francis Gary Powers Jr., son of famed U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers. 

After the talk, the author was available for questions and the signing of his latest book;

Spy Pilot

Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 Incident, and a Controversial Cold War Legacy

By Francis Gary Powers Jr. and Keith Dunnavant

Based on newly available information, the son of famed U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers presents the facts and dispels misinformation about the Cold War espionage program that his father was part of and was featured in Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies.

 

2021-12-04T17:03:34-07:00October 23rd, 2021|News|

Canceled – Spy Pilot The U-2 Presentation

**This event has been cancelled – please watch for  a re-scheduled date

 

 

Come enjoy the next presentation on Saturday, March 28, 11am to 2pm.  Based on the book:  Spy Pilot by Francis Gary Powers Jr., and Keith Dunnavant.

 

Spy Pilot by Francis Gary Powers Jr.

Here is the write up of the book as it appears on Amazon:

Based on newly available information, the son of famed U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers presents the facts and dispels misinformation about the Cold War espionage program that turned his father into a Cold War icon..

One of the most talked-about events of the Cold War was the downing of the American U-2 spy plane piloted by Francis Gary Powers over the Soviet Union on May 1, 1960. The event was recently depicted in the Steven Spielberg movie Bridge of Spies. Powers was captured by the KGB, subjected to a televised show trial, and imprisoned, all of which created an international incident. Soviet authorities eventually released him in exchange for captured Soviet spy Rudolf Abel. On his return to the United States, Powers was exonerated of any wrongdoing while imprisoned in Russia, yet, due to bad press and the government’s unwillingness to heartily defend Powers, a cloud of controversy lingered until his untimely death in 1977.

Now his son, Francis Gary Powers Jr. and acclaimed historian Keith Dunnavant have written this new account of Powers’s life based on personal files that had never been previously available. Delving into old audio tapes, letters his father wrote and received while imprisoned in the Soviet Union, the transcript of his father’s debriefing by the CIA, other recently declassified documents about the U-2 program, and interviews with the spy pilot’s contemporaries, Powers and Dunnavant set the record straight. The result is a fascinating piece of Cold War history. This is also a book about a son’s journey to understand his father, pursuing justice and a measure of peace.

Almost sixty years after the fact, this will be the definitive account of one of the most important events of the Cold War.

2020-03-13T19:26:34-07:00January 11th, 2020|News|
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