Eden Prairie, MN – On Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 6:30PM, local Eden Prairie Air Force veteran Bob Jasperson will speak about his aviation career starting as a 15 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 17th 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 jet fighter. 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!
The Wings of the North Air Museum is located at 14893 Sierra Lane on Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie. Access to Flying Cloud Airport is through Gate H, one mile west of Flying Cloud Drive just south of Pioneer Trail. Museum volunteers will assist with directions to parking. The presentation will start at 6:30PM; doors will open at 6:00PM. The event is free but donations are appreciated. Reservations are not required.
More information: www.wotn.org/museum/
Wings of the North is an IRS 501c3 nonprofit organization
