Douglas A-26 Invader the Cuban government. On 15 April 1961, crewed by Cuban exiles, eight B-26s of the FAL ("Fuerza Aérea de Liberación") attacked three Cuban airfields, in an attempt to destroy FAR combat aircraft on the ground. On 17 April 1961, FAL B-26s supported the seaborne Bay of Pigs Invasion of Cuba. The conflict ended on 19 April, after the loss of nine FAL B-26s, 10 Cuban exiles and 4 American aircrew in combat. The FAR flew B-26Cs in the conflict, one of which was shot down by a CIA 'command ship' with the loss of 4 Cuban aircrew. The CIA contracted
Cuba Austin Cuba Austin Cuba Austin (1906 – 1961) was an American jazz drummer. Born in Charleston, West Virginia, Austin first enters the record as a member of William McKinney's group, McKinney's Cotton Pickers. Austin joined the group after its formation in 1926, taking over for McKinney himself on drums. The group recorded frequently, both under the names Cotton Pickers and Chocolate Dandies. In 1931, the Cotton Pickers split into two ensembles, with Austin heading one of them, which took the name "The Original Cotton Pickers". When he disbanded this group, he moved to Baltimore and worked on his own as well