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12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern)

U-2 Dragon Lady

Maj. Gen. James N. Post III, Air Combat Command director of operations (right), demonstrates a one armed push-up alongside Maj. Geoffrey, 1st Reconnaissance Squadron U-2 pilot, Dec, 3, 2013, at Beale Air Force Base Calif. Post and Geoffrey recently completed a sortie aboard a TU-2S. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bobby Cummings/Released)

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U-2 Dragon Lady above all

Published Dec. 6, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Bobby Cummings
9th Reconnaissance WIng Public Affairs

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Piloting a U-2 Dragon Lady is no simple task. The aircraft is widely regarded as the most difficult aircraft in the world to fly. U-2 aiframes are used to perfrom intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance at altitude's more than 70,000 ft.

For pilots to fly at such extreme altitude's they are required to wear full pressure suits similar to what astronauts wear. These full pressure suits require extensive maintenance provided by the 9th Physiological Support Squadron. Before flight pilots undergo a rigourous schedule to ensure themselves and their suits are mission ready.