SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Capt. Jeffrey Wright exits a U-2 Dragon Lady after a flight Feb. 5. The U-2 is a high-altitude, multi-intelligence reconnaissance aircraft that can fly above 70,000 feet. The jet provides near-real-time imagery and signals intelligence to warfighters and national authorities. Captain Wright is a U-2 pilot with the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron and is deployed from Beale Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brandi Branch)  Download Full Image

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A future airman of 410th Flight Test Squadron here washes a U-2D Dragon Lady at the Blackbird Airpark in the nearby city of Palmdale. (U.S. Air Force photo by Doug Nelson)   Download Full Image

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- Air Force members deployed from the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, Calif., to the 363rd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, refuel a U-2 Dragon Lady after returning from a mission on April 13. The U-2 is a high altitude-multi intelligence reconnaissance aircraft. It can fly above 70,000 ft and provides near-real-time imagery and signals intelligence to war fighters and national authorities in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom at a forward deployed location in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Hannen)   Download Full Image

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- Capt. Don Yu, a U-2 Dragon Lady pilot deployed from the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, Calif., to the 363rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, takes off for a mission on April 11. The U-2 is a high altitude-multi intelligence reconnaissance aircraft. It can fly above 70,000 ft and provides near-real-time imagery and signals intelligence to war fighters and national authorities in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Hannen)  Download Full Image

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- Lt. Col. Walter Flint, a deployed U-2 Dragon Lady commander from the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, Calif., to the 363rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, takes off for a mission on April 11, 2003. The U-2 is a high altitude-multi intelligence reconnaissance aircraft. It can fly above 70,000 ft and provides near-real-time imagery and signals intelligence to war fighters and national authorities in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom at a forward deployed location in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Hannen)  Download Full Image

FILE PHOTO -- The U-2 "Dragon Lady" still reigns supreme as the leader among manned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sytems. (Courtesy photo)  Download Full Image

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Upgraded with more than $1.7 billion in new avionics, engines and sensors at regular intervals throughout its 48-year lifetime, the U-2 "Dragon Lady" today still reigns supreme. (Courtesy photo)   Download Full Image

FILE PHOTO -- The U-2 provides continuous day or night, high-altitude, all-weather, stand-off surveillance of an area in direct support of U.S. and allied ground and air forces. It provides critical intelligence to decision makers through all phases of conflict, including peacetime indications and warnings, crises, low-intensity conflict and large-scale hostilities. The U-2 is a single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude, reconnaissance aircraft. Long, wide, straight wings give the U-2 glider-like characteristics. It can carry a variety of sensors and cameras, is an extremely reliable reconnaissance aircraft, and enjoys a high mission completion rate. Because of its high altitude mission, the pilot must wear a full pressure suit. The U-2 is capable of collecting multi-sensor photo, electro-optic, infrared and radar imagery, as well as performing other types of reconnaissance functions. However, the aircraft can be a difficult aircraft to fly due to its unusual landing characteristics. The aircraft is being upgraded with a lighter engine (General Electric F-118-101) that burns less fuel, cuts weight and increases power. The entire fleet should be reengined by 1998. Other upgrades are to the sensors and adding the Global Positioning System that will superimpose geo-coordinates directly on collected images. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Rose Reynolds)   Download Full Image

FILE PHOTO -- The U-2 provides continuous day or night, high-altitude, all-weather, stand-off surveillance of an area in direct support of U.S. and allied ground and air forces. It provides critical intelligence to decision makers through all phases of conflict, including peacetime indications and warnings, crises, low-intensity conflict and large-scale hostilities.The U-2 is a single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude, reconnaissance aircraft. Long, wide, straight wings give the U-2 glider-like characteristics. It can carry a variety of sensors and cameras, is an extremely reliable reconnaissance aircraft, and enjoys a high mission completion rate. Because of its high altitude mission, the pilot must wear a full pressure suit. The U-2 is capable of collecting multi-sensor photo, electro-optic, infrared and radar imagery, as well as performing other types of reconnaissance functions. However, the aircraft can be a difficult aircraft to fly due to its unusual landing characteristics. (Air Force photo)   Download Full Image

FILE PHOTO -- The U-2 provides continuous day or night, high-altitude, all-weather, stand-off surveillance of an area in direct support of U.S. and allied ground and air forces. It provides critical intelligence to decision makers through all phases of conflict, including peacetime indications and warnings, crises, low-intensity conflict and large-scale hostilities.The U-2 is a single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude, reconnaissance aircraft. Long, wide, straight wings give the U-2 glider-like characteristics. It can carry a variety of sensors and cameras, is an extremely reliable reconnaissance aircraft, and enjoys a high mission completion rate. Because of its high altitude mission, the pilot must wear a full pressure suit. The U-2 is capable of collecting multi-sensor photo, electro-optic, infrared and radar imagery, as well as performing other types of reconnaissance functions. (Air Force photo)   Download Full Image

FILE PHOTO -- The U-2 is a single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude, reconnaissance aircraft. Long, wide, straight wings give the U-2 glider-like characteristics. It can carry a variety of sensors and cameras, is an extremely reliable reconnaissance aircraft, and enjoys a high mission completion rate. Because of its high altitude mission, the pilot must wear a full pressure suit. The U-2 is capable of collecting multi-sensor photo, electro-optic, infrared and radar imagery, as well as performing other types of reconnaissance functions. However, the aircraft can be a difficult aircraft to fly due to its unusual landing characteristics. The aircraft is being upgraded with a lighter engine that burns less fuel, cuts weight and increases power. The entire fleet should be reengined by 1998. Other upgrades are to the sensors and adding the Global Positioning System that will superimpose geo-coordinates directly on collected images. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Rose Reynolds)   Download Full Image

FILE PHOTO -- The U-2 is a single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude, reconnaissance aircraft. Long, wide, straight wings give the U-2 glider-like characteristics. It can carry a variety of sensors and cameras, is an extremely reliable reconnaissance aircraft, and enjoys a high mission completion rate. Because of its high altitude mission, the pilot must wear a full pressure suit. The U-2 is capable of collecting multi-sensor photo, electro-optic, infrared and radar imagery, as well as performing other types of reconnaissance functions. However, the aircraft can be a difficult aircraft to fly due to its unusual landing characteristics. (Air Force photo)   Download Full Image

FILE PHOTO -- An Air Force U-2 Dragon Lady flies a training mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Rose Reynolds)  Download Full Image