History in a Pint on February 22, 2024

Duluth Area and the Cold War

Featured Speaker:

Brig. Gen. Raymond Klosowski USAF (Ret.) of the 148th Fighter Wing

February 22, 2024

Social Hour: 6PM-7PM, Presentation: 7PM-8:30PM

St. Louis County Depot Theatre

Brig. Gen. Raymond Klosowski USAF (Ret.) of Duluth, Minnesota will be presenting the history of military operations in the Duluth area during the Cold War with the Soviet Union (U.S.S.R.). The program will be held at the St. Louis County DEPOT Theatre in Duluth on Thursday, February 22nd. There will be a 6:00pm– 7:00pm social hour followed by the General’s presentation at 7:00 pm.

Raymond Klosowski was born in Moose Lake, MN. 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. His leadership in all assignments brought honor to the Duluth unit and recognition from his superiors. He was promoted to Brigadier General and Commander of the unit.

General Klosowski’s presentation will disclose declassified information about the miliary operations in the Duluth area. Much of the area’s population was unaware 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 USSR, 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 their 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 (VMH) by General Klosowski.

The History in a Pint program series is presented by Veterans Memorial Hall wherein a veteran, or a veteran’s story, is presented about their experiences serving in the military – all while enjoying an adult beverage, available for purchase. All are welcome to attend, learn, ask questions and join in the camaraderie. Attendance is free of charge, but donations are always welcome.

About St. Louis County Historical Society

Since its inception in 1922, the St. Louis County Historical Society has sought to discover, preserve and disseminate knowledge about the history of St. Louis County and the state of Minnesota. The Society maintains and operates a museum, the Veterans Memorial Hall and the Ojibwe Gallery, as well as a variety of traveling exhibits.

About Veterans Memorial Hall

Veterans Memorial Hall, or VMH, is a program of the Saint Louis County, Minnesota, Historical Society. It is located at the Saint Louis County Heritage and Arts Center (DEPOT). To learn about the VMH, visit vets-hall.org/ and facebook.com/veteransmemorialhall.

This presentation will be filmed for an upcoming PBS North documentary about the Cold War being produced by Mike Scholtz.