Discover the Life of a Cold War Pilot
Are you fascinated by aviation and history? "Spying from the Sky" takes you deep into the world of aerial reconnaissance during the Cold War, featuring the compelling biography of William "Greg" Gregory. Born in a sharecropper's family in North Central Tennessee, Greg's early life on a mule-drawn plow instilled in him a sense of resilience that propelled him into the skies.
Refusing to accept a life of poverty, Greg seized an opportunity through a work-study program that lifted him above hardship. While in college, he completed the Civilian Pilot Training Program, leading to his acceptance into the U.S. Army's pilot training program. After earning his wings in 1942, he became a P-38 combat pilot in North Africa at a pivotal moment in World War II.
Following the war, Greg transitioned to the B-29 unit and later to the B-47 strategic bomber, often targeting the Soviet Union's key cities. It was during this period that he joined the Black Knights, America's first high-altitude program, flying the RB-57D. Missions around the Soviet Union provided critical intelligence that the U.S. Air Force desperately needed.
As the program headed towards its conclusion, and after the dramatic Gary Powers incident, Greg was tasked with leading the CIA's U-2 unit at Edwards AFB. His five-year command coincided with some of the most crucial events of the Cold War, including the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Notably, Greg also broke new ground by being one of the first to fly U-2s off aircraft carriers.
Greg's illustrious career included stints at the National War College and the Pentagon, culminating in his retirement from the Air Force in 1972. "Spying from the Sky" offers an in-depth look at the technical innovations, daring missions, and lasting impacts of aerial reconnaissance, making it a must-read for anyone intrigued by aviation history and military strategy.
