Lieutenant Shane Osborn

U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Bob Houlihan.

Lieutenant Shane Osborn, U.S. Navy Saturday, September 7, 2002 National Air and Space Museum Lockheed Martin IMAX® Theater

The National Air and Space Society hosted a special lecture featuring U.S. Navy Lieutenant Shane Osborn on Saturday, September 7, 2002 at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Lockheed Martin IMAX® Theater. Lt. Osborn was the aircraft and mission commander aboard the U.S. Navy operated EP-3E (ARIES II) four-engine signals intelligence (SIGINT) reconnaissance aircraft that was struck by a Chinese F-8 fighter over International waters in the South China Sea on April 1, 2001. Osborn and his crew of 24 were able to regain control of their severely damaged aircraft and make an emergency landing at Lingsui military airfield, on Hainan Island, China. Chinese authorities detained the crewmembers for 11 days during which they separated Osborn from his crew and subjected him to hours of interrogation. Osborn and his crew were assigned to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One (VQ-1), know as the "World Watchers" stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. Upon release, Osborn and his crew were honored as heroes for their bravery and courage in the face of absolute danger in the course of their duties. For his actions, Lt. Osborn was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement in flight as well as the Meritorious Service Medal. His crew all received the Air Medal. Lt. Osborn spoke about his desire to fly from an early childhood and his efforts to become a naval aviator. He recounted the details of the April 2001 reconnaissance mission that captivated the world for more than 11 days and nights.

Copies of Lt. Osborn's book, Born to Fly: The Untold Story of the Downed American Reconnaissance Plane, were available for sale with all of net proceeds going to support the new National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center now under construction at Washington Dulles International Airport. Lt. Osborn signed copies of his book after the lecture in the museum's Milestones of Flight Gallery.