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History in a Pint: Raymond Klosowski
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Veterans Memorial Hall, a program of the St. Louis County Historical Society, presents its next event in the History in a Pint series. Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Raymond Klosowski of the 148th Fighter Wing will present the history of military operations in the Duluth area during the Cold War with the Soviet Union.
General Klosowski was born in Moose Lake. He graduated from Duluth Central High School and earned a history degree from the University of Minnesota. He joined the Minnesota Air Guard 179th FIS of Duluth, flying as a fighter pilot charged with the air defense mission. He was promoted to Brigadier General and Commander of the unit.
The presentation will disclose declassified information about the military operations in the Duluth area. Much of the area’s population was unaware of what was happening around them, and are still unaware to this day. The general served in the United States Air Force and Air National Guard at the Duluth Air Force Base from 1964 through his retirement in 2000. During the United States’ tense standoff with the U.S.S.R., Klosowski flew with the 179th Fighter Interceptor Squadron through to its reorganization as the 148th Fighter Squadron, later to be renamed the 148th Fighter Wing. The Duluth Air Force Base was on constant alert with multiple military aircraft types including the F-86, F-89, F-102, F-106, F-101, F-4 and F-16.
St. Louis County Historical Society will display its latest traveling exhibit, Duluth Area and the Cold War, and a full-scale model of a Genie nuclear missile. Much of the information in the traveling exhibit was provided to the Veterans Memorial Hall by General Klosowski.
Social hour starts at 6 p.m.; the talk starts at 7.
The History in a Pint series features the stories of veterans and their experiences serving in the military. Audience members can enjoy a pint of beer or two from local brewers during the presentations.
Admission is free; donations are welcome. There is a cash bar. Parking is available behind the Duluth Depot complex. Follow signage for the North Shore Scenic Railway parking, accessible from Fourth Avenue West.
