The military believed the Russkies could never hit the U-2, AND, if they did, that Powers would never survive.
They all about soiled their pants when Powers appeared on Russian TV. Surprise!
It was disgraceful the way Powers was treated when he returned. Basically driven out of military flying, and died piloting a TV helicopter in Los Angeles. The CIA was angry that he didn’t commit suicide!
Same with Bud Mahurin...they hounded him out of the service.
Some of our bravest men were utterly thrown away like garbage.