By Denise Clodjeaux — In honor of Veterans Day, the Rotary Club of Carson City will welcome retired United States Air Force Command Pilot and U-2 pilot Major Roger Mostar to its next club meeting. The public is invited to attend the luncheon which takes place Tuesday, Nov. 11, at noon in the Brewery Arts Center’s Grand Ballroom.
Mostar will share his experience in the U2 Reconnaissance program as well as his time flying B-52s. Mostar served in Vietnam, Desert Shield/Storm, Afghanistan, Bosnia and the global war on terror.
The U2 is a single-engine, high–altitude reconnaissance aircraft operated by the United States Air Force and the Central Intelligence Agency since the 1950s. Mostar says the plane has stood the test of time. “Even though developed during the peak of the Cold War, both are still flying and are vital to the strategic protection of our country.”
When asked what sets the U2 apart from other military aircraft Mostar says several things. “It hauls 5000 pounds of intelligence gathering payload to very high altitudes, that can be utilized for 10 hours, nothing else has come close to replacing it.” He says, adding that the people involved with the aircraft also stand out.
“Everyone involved with the U2 operated outside of the mainstream, and have managed to provide critical intelligence for decades, despite often being the “bastard children” of the Air Force,” he says. “The pilots operated it for so long, no wing man and in hostile environments and often with no radio support, alone, unarmed, and afraid. It is truly a unique and exhilarating out of this world flying experience!”
Anyone interested in attending the meeting to learn more should email carsoncitynvrotary@gmail.com. The Brewery Arts Center is located at 449 West King Street in Carson City.
