Lieutenant Colonel Ken Peterson flew the B-52H Stratofortress and the B-1B Lancer bombers during some of the most tense moments of the Cold War. Today we talk about his experience while on alert, ready to take flight to a target loaded with some of the most powerful weapons ever created. We also cover the time Ken briefed the Air Force’s Scientific Advisory Board which recommended the B-1 program to President Reagan.

Aside from flying one of the fastest, stealthiest bombers in the world, Ken is full of stories about crossing paths with legendary historical figures, like General James Doolittle, who led the first strike on the Japanese homeland after the Pearl Harbor attack in World War II, or Neil Armstrong, the first human to set foot on the moon. 

Ken’s picture with Neil: https://nickrroberts.com/posts/b1_b52.html

Buzz One Four documentary: https://www.amazon.com/Buzz-One-Four-David-Woodhouse/dp/B0795BZ3F3

Music: “Get Tough” by TrackTribe