Rare U-2 Invitation
February 1st, 2010 | Photography | Posted by Erik Hildebrandt
I have never been “invited” to do anything with the USAF before. That is one reason so much of my time is spent working with the Navy, they are simply more agreeable and accommodating when it comes to civilian media requests. In this case however, I was amazed to not only be invited to tag along on the unique recovery profile of the legendary U-2 Dragon Lady, but the squadron CO said it would be fine with him for me to photograph the entire evolution (with a few conditions).
Running two identical Pontiac G8 GTO sedans rigged with enough comm gear to talk to the moon, we prepositioned the two cars at the approach end of the runway just off the taxiway. As the slow-moving, single engine 50-plus-year-old airplane crossed the fence, both cars accelerated to nearly 100 mph in just a few seconds. Once behind the gracefully hovering black recce bird, the lead vehicle made altitude calls to the pilot who is unable to adequately view the runway ahead — 10 feet … 6 feet … 3 feet … 2 feet … 10 inches … 2 inches … down — and then the plane rolled to a gradual stop, eventually dipping one wingtip until the ground crew could install the orange taxi wheels for the ride back to the hangar. Once the engine shut down, the ground crew pushed the sunshade over the cockpit, and the canopy came open to reveal the yellow pressure suit clad pilot. These are the same suits made by David Clark that are flown on the Space Shuttle and the now extinct SR-71 Blackbird. The first thing to come out of the cockpit is the stash of red-bordered TOP SECRET profile documents, which I obviously was not allowed to photograph. After the scene was sterilized of classified material, I was able to shoot the pilot being helped out of the jet and ceremoniously welcomed back by his squadron mates.
Typical missions last upwards of nine hours at altitudes greater than 60,000 feet. Truly, this was a rare glimpse at the deployed operations of one of the tightest secret communities on the tip of the spear. Thanks to these unnamed crews, conducting secret ops at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.
Erok
