Rescue of Bat-21 Bravo

Hear the story of Bat 21 Bravo, the largest rescue operation in USAF history, from the commander of that rescue operation. John van Etten, USAF forward air controller, will speak at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, at Voorhies Hall,1660 Encampment Ave, Bay View.

Bat 21 Bravo was the call sign of the navigator on an aircraft shot down behind North Vietnamese lines in 1972, Lt. Col. Iceal “Gene” Hambleton. The former deputy chief of operations for the USAF Strategic Air Command, Hambleton had Top Secret access to Strategic Air Command operations and was one of the most knowledgeable missile and electronic counter-measures experts in Vietnam. 

When Hambleton parachuted into the midst of 30,000 enemy troops, it set in motion the largest, longest, and most complex search and rescue operation during the Vietnam War. Learn the story behind that mission here.

The Campus Club of Bay View presents this live event as a part of their 2023 Tuesday night speaker program. Free admission, free parking, open to the public.