Fighter Sweep
  • Home
  • Military Aviation
  • Air Force
  • Navy
  • Spec Ops
  • Expert Analysis
  • Careers
  • Photos
Home Previous Post Next Post
Follow @fightersweep

Watch: U2 “Dragon Lady” Hit the Terminator Line

August 15, 2016
FighterSweep Staff No Comments Military Aviation, Video

Ride with a U2 pilot as he skims across the earth at altitudes beyond normal comprehension to get to the “terminator line”, the position on earth that separates day from night.

The “Dragon Lady” has been flying for more than 50 years. It is amazing to think that such an airplane has existed since Elvis was shaking his hips and the Beatles had not even made it to America yet. Upgrades such as new engines, electronics, and new sensor suites have made the U2 a still viable reconnaissance  platform for Combatant Commanders around the world.

When U2 pilots take off, they are heading up into space, not just the sky. There is a point in the atmosphere where night takes over the day. In a sense, nighttime “creeps up on you”.  To pilots flying the Dragon Lady, it is a humbling experience to see such a sight.

The advertised altitude ceiling of the U2 is 70,000 feet. That seems a bit low when you see the photos–but who really knows?

There is also the old joke that makes its way around the USAF O’Clubs, especially places like Osan Air Force Base in South Korea–home of the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron detachment.

A Dragon Lady pilot asks the air traffic controller if he can have 60,000 feet as an altitude. The air traffic controller responds with a chuckle, “You can have 60,000 feet if you can get up there”.

The Dragon Lady’s response: “Descending down to 60,000 feet”.

Enjoy the video!

(U.S. Air Force Video by Andrew Arthur Breese)

Top Photo: An Air Force U-2 Dragon Lady flies a training mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Rose Reynolds)

Related Posts

  • The legendary U-2 spy plane is still flying missions today — and is about to get a big upgradeThe legendary U-2 spy plane is still flying missions today — and is about to get a big upgrade
  • Dragon Lady in Distress: Watch Some INSANE U-2S Landings!Dragon Lady in Distress: Watch Some INSANE U-2S Landings!
  • US Air Force Halts Operations on E3 Fleet Amid Concerns for Structural IntegrityUS Air Force Halts Operations on E3 Fleet Amid Concerns for Structural Integrity
  • 105th Airlift Wing Receives Second Consecutive Meritorious Unit Award105th Airlift Wing Receives Second Consecutive Meritorious Unit Award
  • W.Va. Guard Retires RC-26 Aircraft From ServiceW.Va. Guard Retires RC-26 Aircraft From Service

Find Us on Facebook

FighterSweep.com

Sign Up
for the Newsletter

What’s Hot

  • abandoned-f-14-f-4
    May 14, 2017

    Abandoned US Military F-14 and F-4 Found in a Field. Anyone Know How They Got There?

  • September 4, 2019

    Photo Gallery: McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

  • blue-angels-reporter-blacks-out-passes-out
    December 5, 2017

    Watch: News Reporter Blacks Out on Ride with US Navy Blue Angels

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Twitter

Recent Comments

  • pak152 " the team came up with what the Brits dubbed as Mustang, powered by a [...]
  • P K Polish AF never has and never will operate Su-27, An-26 aircraft has been out [...]
  • bnarfhyde The best book is also great. have a [...]
  • TerrorTrike ive never survived this long with such a clumsy FL- cG.866B.CO/NC6155hc
  • D4rksupeme yessss truck kunnnnnnnn i needddd you m.866E.CO/vC6155H

© Copyright 2023 SOFREP Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers