Monday, September 6, 1976. The defection of Viktor Belenko.

It was Labor Day in the U.S.

I would have been 13 years old. We probably went dove hunting, and maybe fishing.

Mig 25.

Soviet Air Force Lieutenant Viktor Belenko defected with his Mig 25 to Japan.  He would receive asylum in the United States, where he lived for the rest of his life, during which he constantly feared being assassinated by the Soviets/Russians.  He died in 2023 in Illinois at age 76.

The Mig 25 was widely feared by Western nations and the defection was a windfall and a deflation as the plane turned out to be much cruder than imagined. For a time there was suspicion that the defection was itself a deception operation by the Soviet Union.

I recall this event occurring.

Vietnam disclosed the names and fates of twelve Missing In Action aviators who had been killed after being shot down during the Vietnam War.

Last edition:

Sunday, September 5, 1976. The Muppet Show.

Labels: 1970s, 1976, Blog Mirror, television, Uncle Mike