Cold War Nuclear Bombing Missions and a UFO Encounter (354)

Cold War RAF pilot Jeremy Lane, shares his gripping experiences, from nuclear bombing missions to a close encounter with a UFO.

He was trained to fly the Canberra aircraft on nuclear bombing missions and describes how the American weaponry they would have used required dual control from both the President of the United States and the British Prime Minister.

Jeremy also describes the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties where aircraft were always on standby, ready to fly their nuclear missions at a moment's notice.

He shares his experiences with escape and evasion training, designed to prepare pilots for the possibility of being shot down over enemy territory. The training was gruelling, involving everything from water survival exercises, evading capture in the wilderness and how to stand up to interrogation. It was a stark reminder of the risks these pilots faced daily.

However, it wasn't all tension and drills. Life on the squadron had its moments of camaraderie and even humour. Our guest recounts how young pilots, feeling invincible, would joke about heading west instead of completing their mission if war ever broke out.

The episode concludes with a truly extraordinary story—a close encounter with a UFO. During a night flight exercise, our guest, his crew and other aircraft witnessed a mysterious, pulsating object in the sky.

Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode354/

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00:00 Mysterious Shape in the Sky

00:25 Introduction to Cold War Conversations

01:53 American Nuclear Weaponry and Dual Control

04:56 Life on Quick Reaction Alert

12:54 Navigating and Bombing Techniques

21:32 Positive Vetting Process

28:57 Suicide Mission Realities

29:35 A Surreal Briefing at Laarbruch

33:47 Escape and Evasion Training

36:26 Life on a Frontline Squadron

42:23 Disillusionment with the Air Force

55:09 Transition to Civilian Life

56:24 A Close Encounter with a UFO

01:02:12 Podcast Conclusion and Extras

Cold War, Raf Pilot, Jeremy Lane, Nuclear Bombing Missions, Canberra Aircraft, Ufo Sighting, Quick Reaction Alert, Escape And Evasion Training, Cold War Aviation, Dual-Control Weaponry, American Weaponry, Cold War Podcast, Military Aviation, Night Flight Exercise, Pulsating Object, Cold War History, British Military, Cold War Stories, Cold War Intelligence, Cold