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U-2 Pilot Goes to Space
- Thread starter HuggyU2
- Start date
So it's not a big leap of logic to assume he could be plied with liquor and/or compliments on his pilot skill, humor, and attractiveness to the opposite sex?
U-2 Pilot Application
---- FLYING THE "DRAGONLADY" ----The 9th Reconnaissance Wing is looking for a few officers with the professionalism and flying skills necessary to pilot the U-2 "Dragonlady", and provide our nation's
www.beale.af.mil
It was updated in 2012 but the info is still accurate.
The dude (T-Bone) running the assessment program was super helpful. I applied last year as a Hail Mary and was given a polite ‘thanks but no thanks’ since I only have about 300 fixed wing hours total.
I also spoke with several former gold wingers that fly there now so if you do actually apply, you’ll have familiar backgrounds with a few folks there.
Feel free to pm me if you want more info. I will do what I can to get you in touch with T-Bone, and with the former Gold Wingers out there. There are couple going through training at this time.
I still teach academics in the squadron a couple of days a month as a contractor.
I still teach academics in the squadron a couple of days a month as a contractor.
Very cool; thanks.
In 2005, PBD 720 was released by the Federal gov't, and it said the U-2, A-10, and F-117 would be retired. IIRC, the first U-2 was supposed to be parked in 2007, with the fleet going away rapidly, and gone around 2011. Even then, a bunch of us knew that was unlikely... there was simply nothing the COCOM's would have to replace the capability.
I was running U-2 Recruiting at the time and told the potential U-2 applicants (and also posted on a few websites) "Don't worry... the last U-2 pilot isn't out of elementary school yet.". That said, having Lt Gen Cartwright, USMC, become Vice CJCS didn't help us during his 4-year reign of U-2 hatred, but we survived.
Without boring you with a year-by-year analysis, here we are in 2019... and after 14 years of limited funding, DoD and US Intel have figured out they really love the U-2, and they would like it to have upgraded sensors to put on the airframes we have, which have tons more life left in them. As such, money is apparently being allocated, and there is a lot going on in U-2 land with increasing the capability. I mean a lot.
As it turns out, my "not out of elementary school" analogy is accurate. However, I'd say it could easily have been "not out of diapers" and I'd be right.
So... to answer your question, SevenHelmet, drop an application on T-Bone's desk and some join the other 35ish Gold Wingers that have made the U-2 their happy spot.
Most Gold Wingers I've seen at Beale since maybe 2013 or so, when they did away with the IST for a few years. Now that I'm on terminal leave, the senior Navy guy resides at one of our FOL's. Keep applying; the IST's I've seen come through lately for interviews have been solid dudes, we need more of 'em.
Being on the staff of the O-6 in charge of the flying squadrons, I can tell you that the U-2 will be around well into the next decade. Tons of money being put into the program right now and for the foreseeable FY's. The AF is desperate to bring in new folks, so hopefully they don't mess with the IST program.
It'd be more impressive if it was an S-3.
How much would it cost to modify it for carrier ops? The SC-117 could provide sub hunting and stealth COD capability.