The recent forced landing of a U.S. Navy EP-3E surveillance aircraft on Hainan Island after aerial harassment by Chinese fighters underscores that the dangers of the Cold War are not behind us. Reconnaissance - intelligence gathering - has always been one of the most highly secretive operations in the military. Appearing here for the first time are many crucial documents, ranging from formerly highly classified U.S. files to conversations with Khrushchev and top secret reports from the Russian presidential archives. Along with previously unreleasd military details, this meticulously researched book includes MiG fighter pilot transcripts and interviews with participants from both sides - including survivors of downed American planes. From the Baltic to the Bering Seas, from Armenia and Azerbaijan to China, Korea, and the Sea of Japan, these gripping accounts reveal the drama of what really happened to Americans shot down in hostile skies.

U.S.-Chinese air incidents -- The shootdown -- Attacks on other recon platforms -- Cold War aerial reconnaissance -- Birth of the ACRP -- Air reconnaissance in Europe, 1950s -- Guys in the outfit -- 60528's last crew -- The aftermath -- Diplomacy: families are political pawns -- Factors contributing to 60528's shootdown -- End of the Cold War -- Paying tribute four decades later -- Appencixes : A. Materials returned by Soviets with remains ; B. Flight Crew TDY orders to Incirlik, Turkey ; C. Transcript of MiG pilots shooting down C-130 60528 ; D. International air incidents compared to the C-130 incident vis-à-vis the Missing Persons Act ; E. Acronyms and abbreviations ; F. Brief histories of the 7405th and 7407th support squadrons ; G.U.S. military ranks and grades.