Retired fighter pilot to speak at Estrella Warbirds dinner
Lt. Col. Ed Cobleigh.
Reservations are required by 6 p.m. on the Monday before the event
– The Estrella Warbirds Museum will host retired Lt. Col. Ed Cobleigh as the guest speaker for its monthly dinner on Wednesday, Jan. 8. Cobleigh, whose call sign is “Fast Eddie,” will discuss his extensive career as a fighter pilot and air intelligence officer.
Cobleigh’s experience spans service with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, Royal Air Force, Imperial Iranian Air Force, and French Air Force. Over the course of his career, he flew fighter planes ranging from the F-104 Starfighter to the F-16 Viper. He completed 375 combat missions, successfully logging as many landings as takeoffs.
Cobleigh has also served as an instructor at the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School, the U.S. Navy’s TOPGUN School, and the Royal Air Force’s Qualified Weapons Instructor Course. After his flying career, he transitioned to work as an air intelligence officer. In this role, he collaborated with the CIA, FBI, and MI6 on covert missions, utilizing his skills to uncover hidden details and make critical connections.
In addition to his military and intelligence work, Cobleigh is a bestselling author of aviation and adventure books, drawing from his experiences in the field. His books have sold more than 45,000 copies across 12 countries, three genres, and four languages. He is also a member of the faculty at the Central Coast Writers Conference.
Cobleigh’s global experience includes visits to more than 50 countries in various roles, including military operations. He and his wife, Heidi, now reside in California’s Central Coast wine country.
The dinner on Jan. 8 will be catered, and reservations are required by 6 p.m. on the Monday before the event to give the caterer adequate preparation time. The cost is $25 per person. Reservations can be made online at www.ewarbirds.org/museum/reservations.shtml or by calling (805) 296-1935. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a no-host bar, and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.
The Estrella Warbirds Museum is located at 4251 Dry Creek Road in Paso Robles, Calif. The museum is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For Monday holiday hours or general admission information, visit www.ewarbirds.org.
