Want to find out what is happening at Wings of the North? Then join us the 3rd Thursday of every month as we meet to discuss WOTN activities, future plans and volunteer needs. The meetings are open to anyone interested in learning about WOTN as well as to our many fabulous volunteers!

Air Force veteran Bob Jasperson will speak about his aviation career starting as a15 year old student pilot on Flying Cloud Airport and eventually logging more than 100 missions over both South and North Vietnam.  This event is part of the Wings of the North Air Museum’s Speaker Series that offers a free presentation on the first Thursday of each month.

 Background:  Bob Jasperson earned his Private Pilot License on Flying Cloud Airport on his 17^th birthday.  He attended the University of Minnesota where he joined the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps and received a commission as a Second Lieutenant. During this time he earned his Commercial Pilot License but, due to his vision no longer testing 20/20, he entered the Air Force as a Navigator.  After one year flying in the C-141 Starlifter cargo plane, Bob was selected to transfer to the F-4 Phantom II as a Weapons System Officer.

 While stationed in South Korea in 1972,Bob’s squadron was deployed on temporary duty to Southeast Asia after the North Vietnamese launch their “Easter Offensive” by invading South Vietnam with more than 200,000 men accompanied by Soviet-supplied tanks.  In five months he flew 103 combat missions over both South and North Vietnam and he was credited with downing a MiG-21 jetfighter.  Bob was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, seven Air Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Silver Star.  He separated from the Air Force in 1975 and returned to Minnesota. He currently serves as the Museum Director for the Wings of the North Air Museum on Flying Cloud where he learned to fly 64 years earlier!

Want to find out what is happening at Wings of the North? Then join us the 3rd Thursday of every month as we meet to discuss WOTN activities, future plans and volunteer needs. The meetings are open to anyone interested in learning about WOTN as well as to our many fabulous volunteers!