Cuban Migs: The Defenders of Castro's Air Force

Cuban Migs: The Defenders of Castro's Air Force PDF Author: Hélio Higuchi
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781950394098
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 144

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Book Description
The Fuerza Aérea Revolucionaria (FAR), one of the most powerful and little-publicized air forces in the Americas, had Mikoyan-Gurevich (MiG) fighters as its main fighter aircraft, both in the defense of Cuban territory against the threat of US invasion and in support of Cuban leader's efforts to export their revolutionary ideals.With its MiG fighters, Cuba's FAR was one of the symbols of the Cold War. This book tells the history of a small Caribbean island that challenged the might of the United States. Based on extensive research with veteran airmen, historians, Cuban publications, and documents, the introduction and utilization of all MiG models in FAR service is described, from the aircraft's arrival, their deployment, and their final fate, while reviewing at the same time the history of Cuban military aviation to present times. Richly illustrated with over 170 photographs and color profiles, it details the history of all 20 models of MiG fighters operated by Cuba from 1962 to the present day.

Cuban Migs: The Defenders of Castro's Air Force

Cuban Migs: The Defenders of Castro's Air Force PDF Author: Hélio Higuchi
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781950394098
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 144

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Fuerza Aérea Revolucionaria (FAR), one of the most powerful and little-publicized air forces in the Americas, had Mikoyan-Gurevich (MiG) fighters as its main fighter aircraft, both in the defense of Cuban territory against the threat of US invasion and in support of Cuban leader's efforts to export their revolutionary ideals.With its MiG fighters, Cuba's FAR was one of the symbols of the Cold War. This book tells the history of a small Caribbean island that challenged the might of the United States. Based on extensive research with veteran airmen, historians, Cuban publications, and documents, the introduction and utilization of all MiG models in FAR service is described, from the aircraft's arrival, their deployment, and their final fate, while reviewing at the same time the history of Cuban military aviation to present times. Richly illustrated with over 170 photographs and color profiles, it details the history of all 20 models of MiG fighters operated by Cuba from 1962 to the present day.

The Bay of Pigs

The Bay of Pigs PDF Author: Alejandro de Quesada
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1780961421
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 133

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Book Description
ALSO AVAILABLE TO BUY AS AN E-BOOK. The landings by the Cuban exile Assault Brigade 2506 at the Bay of Pigs on April 17, 1961 led to three days of savage but unequal combat. Before they even sailed for Cuba, a White House decision had condemned them to constant attacks by Castro's air force, which sank two of their ships loaded with vital supplies and equipment. Despite stubborn resistance to Castro's troops and tanks, and heroic sorties by Cuban and American B-26 pilots, the Brigade was strangled for lack of firepower and ammunition. Their story is illustrated with rare photos from Brigade veterans, and detailed color plates of the uniforms and insignia of both sides.

Inside Castro's Bunker

Inside Castro's Bunker PDF Author: Rafael del Pino
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781475028607
Category : Cuba
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This is the life story of a man who joined the rebel army of Fidel Castro fighting against Fulgencio Batista Cuba's dictator while he was a mere teenager. When the Cuban Revolution triumphed, he became a fighter pilot carrying out many military missions with dedication, valor and courage. This allowed him to earn the respect and confidence of Fidel Castro who awarded him with the medal "Hero of Playa Girón (Bay of Pigs). Rafael del Pino rose to the rank of General and was appointed Deputy Chief of the Cuban Air Force. Gradually he became disappointed with the failure of the communist system and Castro ́s refusal to implement political reforms. For those reasons, in May 1987, this man who had spent most of his life serving the Cuban Revolution decided to break away from the Castro ́s regime and flee with his family to the United States. Today, with this book he bring us the fascinating stories of his military adventures in Cuba and around the world.

Bay of Pigs

Bay of Pigs PDF Author: Fidel Castro
Publisher: Pathfinder Press (NY)
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 316

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Book Description


Wings of the Morning

Wings of the Morning PDF Author: Orestes Lorenzo
Publisher: Macmillan
ISBN: 0312100086
Category : Cuba
Languages : en
Pages : 369

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Book Description
In December 1992 Orestes Lorenzo undertook the most daring journey of his life. More than a year earlier, while a major in the Cuban Air Force, he had escaped from Cuba by flying a MiG to the United States, and for twenty-one frantic months had been trying to get permission for his wife, Vicky, and their two sons to join him. When all his attempts to gain their freedom failed, Orestes decided to go back and rescue his family himself. Meanwhile, Vicky had been undergoing a terrifying ordeal back in Cuba, where the authorities were pressuring her to denounce her husband as a traitor. They informed her that she would never be allowed to leave, and that Raul Castro himself had declared: "If Lorenzo had the guts to leave with one if my MiGs, maybe he has the guts to come back and get his family". Desperate, Orestes Lorenzo did just that, flying an old twin-engine Cessna across the straits of Florida, avoiding Cuban radar, and landing on a busy highway in a breathtaking rescue. Wings of Morning is Lorenzo's account of this astonishing feat, but it is also the unforgettable odyssey of a young man growing up during the euphoria of the Cuban Revolution, marrying his sweetheart, and going off to train as a fighter pilot in the Soviet Union. Lorenzo movingly describes his growing disillusionment with communism, his religious awakening amidst the revelations of Perestroika, and the near-death of his beloved Vicky, as well as his increasing conviction that he must not let his children grow up in a country that denies any dignity or spiritual values in the individual, in the family, and to society.

MiG-17/19 Aces of the Vietnam War

MiG-17/19 Aces of the Vietnam War PDF Author: István Toperczer
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472812573
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 100

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Book Description
At the beginning of the Vietnam War, the Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF) were equipped with slow, old Korean War generation fighters – a combination of MiG-17s and MiG-19s – types that should have offered little opposition to the cutting-edge fighter-bombers such as the F-4 Phantom II, F-105 Thunderchief and the F-8 Crusader. Yet when the USAF and US Navy unleashed their aircraft on North Vietnam in 1965 the inexperienced pilots of the VPAF were able to shatter the illusion of US air superiority. Taking advantage of their jet's unequalled low-speed maneuverability, small size and powerful cannon armament they were able to take the fight to their missile-guided opponents, with a number of Vietnamese pilots racking up ace scores. Packed with information previously unavailable in the west and only recently released from archives in Vietnam, this is the first major analysis of the exploits of Vietnamese pilots in the David and Goliath contest with the US over the skies of Vietnam.

Cold War in South Florida

Cold War in South Florida PDF Author: Steve Hach
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Cold War
Languages : en
Pages : 122

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Book Description


Apollo's Warriors

Apollo's Warriors PDF Author: Michael E. Haas
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 9780788149832
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 388

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Book Description
Presenting a fascinating insider's view of U.S.A.F. special operations, this volume brings to life the critical contributions these forces have made to the exercise of air & space power. Focusing in particular on the period between the Korean War & the Indochina wars of 1950-1979, the accounts of numerous missions are profusely illustrated with photos & maps. Includes a discussion of AF operations in Europe during WWII, as well as profiles of Air Commandos who performed above & beyond the call of duty. Reflects on the need for financial & political support for restoration of the forces. Bibliography. Extensive photos & maps. Charts & tables.

Cordon of Steel

Cordon of Steel PDF Author: Curtis A. Utz
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781410221230
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 56

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Book Description
This study is a dramatic example of how the U.S. Navy's multipurpose ships and aircraft, flexible task organization, and great mobility enabled President Kennedy to protect national interests in one of the most serious confrontations of the Cold War. Curtis A. Utz is currently a historian in the Naval Historical Center's Contemporary History Branch.

The Cuban Intervention in Angola, 1965-1991

The Cuban Intervention in Angola, 1965-1991 PDF Author: Edward George
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134269331
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 369

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Book Description
A new examination of why Cuba, a Caribbean country, sent half a million of its citizens to fight in Angola in Africa, and how a short-term intervention escalated into a lengthy war of intervention. It clearly details how in January 1965 Cuba formed an alliance with the Angolan MPLA which evolved into the flagship of its global 'internationalist' mission, spawning the military intervention of November 1975 culminating in Cuba's spurious 'victory' at Cuito Cuanavale and Cuba's fifteen-year occupation of Angola. Drawing on interviews with leading protagonists, first-hand accounts and archive material from Cuba, Angola and South Africa, this new book dispels the myths of the Cuban intervention, revealing that Havana's decision to intervene was not so much an heroic gesture of solidarity, but rather a last-ditch gamble to avert disaster. By examining Cuba's role in the Angolan War in a global context, this book demonstrates how the interaction between the many players in Angola shaped and affected Cuba's intervention as it headed towards its controversial conclusion.