30 November 1957 – Capt Benny Lacombe is killed when he unsuccessfully attempts to bail out of Lockheed U-2A, 56-6704, Article 371, 13 miles SE of Laughlin AFB. Ejection seats had not yet been fitted to U-2s at this point. The history of the U-2 program is fraught with fatalities and crashes. “CIA pilots Wilburn S.
Dick Bevington flew with the 8th Reconnance Technical Squadron out of Westover AFB in 1964. He was also assigned to Fairchild AFB where he flew the KC-135, Ft. Wayne where he flew the T-33, F-84, and F-100, and Peoria AFB in Illinois where he flew the O2 and OA-37 with the ANG. From 1978-1988 Dick was Team Captain of the Illinois National Guard Marathon team (26 marathons).
Additionally, he flew for United Airlines from 1969-2000 in the B707, B720, B737, B747, B757, and B767 LR Jet.
Dick has been with Mile High Gliding out of Boulder, CO since 2014. The company prepares students for FAA check rides and also gives glider rides. he is also the Chief Flight Instructor at Elite Aviation, LLC.