@ Fairfield, CA
May 2022
One of the performers at the 2022 Wings Over Solano airshow at Travis AFB was this classic spyplane from nearby Beale AFB, home of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing which operates all the USAF U-2 assets. First flown in 1955, this iconic aircraft has been continually evolving. The U-2R, first flown in 1967, is significantly larger and more capable than the original aircraft. Subsequent engine upgrades resulted in the U-2S designation. The difficulty experienced by the pilots flying the U-2 led to it being called the “Dragon Lady” because the aircraft was extremely unforgiving (either dancing with a lady or fighting a dragon). 104 U-2 aircraft were produced from 1955–1989.