Step into the cockpit of one
of the most iconic aircraft in history with John
Rownak, a former B-52 pilot who served during the Cold War and the Vietnam War. Drawing from firsthand experience, Rownak will guide
participants through the B-52’s critical mission
during the Cold War and its evolving role in
Vietnam.
Participants will explore what it meant to live
on constant “alert,” ready to respond to a nuclear strike at a moment’s notice. Learn how crews
trained for these high-stakes missions, where
the bombers were based, and how operations
unfolded across Southeast Asia. Through vivid
stories and mission insights, Rownak will illustrate how B-52 tactics changed in late 1972
and how those missions helped shape the war’s
conclusion.
This engaging session offers a rare insider’s
view into military aviation history—something
you can’t gain from books or documentaries.
Join us for a unique opportunity to understand
not just the aircraft, but the people, pressures,
and purpose behind its missions.