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Flying the U-2
Chuck Wilson will present using the briefing slides he used many times with top Air Force officials on the U-2 and its capabilities, then take questions from the audience. The focus will be on what it feels like to pilot this unique surveillance platform at 70,000 feet, the edge of space. Chuck will explain why this is one of the most difficult airplanes in the world to fly.
The presentation will detail some the U-2’s Cold War activities, and it will also cover some of the current-day surveillance activities of the U-2, since we are still flying this unusual aircraft for strategic intelligence-gathering purposes.
Chuck Wilson has diverse experience in politico-military affairs, national security policy, defense acquisition and business development. This includes twenty-plus years leading executive teams, and nationwide Air Force organizations with as many as 3,000 people. He is a diplomat who negotiated agreements with foreign governments for beddown, basing & access for U.S. Forces after 9/11 as well as a successful Operations Commander who piloted sensitive and dangerous missions worldwide.
As a private sector Business Development Executive he has championed a multimillion-dollar corporate portfolio of Defense Intelligence programs and worked budgets exceeding $90M. He has extensive experience with DOD, OSD, DOS, USAF, Interagency, and commercial business, and as a USAF Command Pilot. In his spare time, Chuck is active in leadership roles in various veterans’ organizations and as a docent at the Udvar-Hazy annex of the National Air & Space Museum, and he is a featured commentator on C-SPAN and the Smithsonian Channel’s “Air Warriors” program. He is the author of the book Strategic and Tactical Reconnaissance in the Near East, written while he was a National Defense Fellow.
Time
2:00 PM. (Arrival: 1:30-2:00PM.) PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A NEW STARTING TIME FOR THESE EVENTS.
Tickets
$35, including the presentation; a $7 credit toward a craft beer draft, Kombucha, or other drink; a $20 contribution to the Cold War Museum; and special access to the Museum (next door) with a tour for event participants following the presentation. TICKETS AT THE DOOR, IF STILL AVAILABLE, WILL COST $45.
Agenda:
1:30-2:00. Participants arrive; they may get their beer or other drink at this time
2:00-2:10. Jason Hall, Executive Director of the Cold War Museum, introduces the Museum and Chuck Wilson
2:10-3:30. Chuck presents on Flying the U-2.
3:30-4:00. Q&A opportunity for the audience
4:00-5:00. The Museum (next door) will be open for event participants, with staff providing a tour for those interested
