U.S. deploys U-2 Dragon Lady to Ukraine to spy on Russian movements

[LiberalArkie]

U-2 spy planes flew out of RAF Fairford on daily missions to provide surveillance over Ukraine as Russian forces continued their illegal invasion. This high-flying narrow-body aircraft was part of the United States Air Force's 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron. Although normally shrouded in secrecy with little public ability to observe Dragon Lady up close for nearly four years in RAF Fairford. The U-2 has provided many opportunities for local aviation enthusiasts to see the legendary Cold War spy plane up close in the air over Gloucestershire.

[lapfog_1]

1. used to watch the NASA version (ER-2) take off and land at NASA Ames all the time

landing is great... a chase car races after the plane so that the pilot in the car can give detailed information to the pilot in the plane.

[Irish_Dem]

2. Totally wild and crazy.

I never saw this plane.

I lived on USAF bases as a kid, but never saw the Dragon Lady.
It is so odd looking I would have remembered it.

And the car driving after it at high speed while landing would have been an so wild to see.
AF kids would have really enjoyed seeing that. And laughed like crazy.

[lapfog_1]

3. 140+ mph... I always wanted to ride with the chase team

but they only had room for the driver and the chase pilot. Or so they said.

[Irish_Dem]

4. Air Force kids so much would want a ride in the chase car.

And would love the look and name of the Dragon Lady.

But the last thing the USAF or NASA wants is a tagalong liability.

And they don't want any distractions, this is a second by second life and death operation.
Plus this is a $120 million aircraft.
Training the pilots is also a small fortune.

But I know, can you imagine being in the car during the landing chase?
That would be fascinating and scary.