Deployed U-2 pilot achieves rare feat of 100 combat missions

USAF Central ^ | 3/15/10 | Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

[Eric in the Ozarks]

He flew out of northern Japan.
I think NK was his beat.

[vetvetdoug]

My Father was stationed at Laughlin AFB, Texas in the early 1960’s. U-2’s flew out of there almost on a daily basis. One of my elementary school classmates lost his father that was piloting a U-2 over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis back in 62’.

[50cal Smokepole]

That’s a good story. Seems that there is a real need for airborne spy stuff that isn’t remotely controlled.

[mylife]

Them things catch some air.

[mylife]

Regards

[mylife]

There is something to be said for having people involved.

[sionnsar]

You bet they do! Between the U-2, the Blackbird and the B-52 I am in awe of our designers. (A little less respectful of the Shuttle’s designers because I worked with some of them — they were merely human, if only exceptional humans. *\;-)

[BIGLOOK]

Great thread My!

Good follow up on the one reporting that the U-2s were still in service....an over sized glider with a jet engine.

[mylife]

They still keep me busy.

[mylife]

I am sad to see the shuttle go away.

[sionnsar]

Me too, but it’s WAY beyond it’s designed life. We had much neater stuff on the drawing boards supposed to replace it a long time ago, but which never went any further.

[RicocheT]

Brave pilot as the U-2 has always been difficult to fly. The design decisions to make it able to fly so high also made it hard to control. Newer high performance aircraft have computer assisted flight controls, but the U-2 is still dependent on pilot skill. The U-2 engines also stall at very inconvenient intervals.

[alfa6]

Thanks for the ping BIGLOOK

TTIUWP

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[dennisw]

The B52s roughly resemble the automobile designs of that era

[alfa6]

Interesting link

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20100330.aspx

nitey , nite

Regards

alfa6 ;>}