Jump to content

U-2 Dragonlady info


Guest thebronze

Recommended Posts

What Huggy failed to mention, is the two 30K-hour jets were built in 1968. The rest of the active fleet entered service between 1981 and 1989. Soooo....

 

  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

I've been reading around different places but I haven't been able to find any info on application statistics. Could anyone tell me what the breakdown is for those who apply and make/don't make the cut for the initial interview, post 3-sortie selection, and follow-on training etc. I'm just not wanting to jump the gun on my application if I'm not anywhere near the standard deviation. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

33 minutes ago, pickles said:

I'm just not wanting to jump the gun on my application if I'm not anywhere near the standard deviation. 

We don't discuss "the breakdown", unless I misunderstand you.  

Ask your Squadron-mates if you're a decent pilot, self-starter, someone they trust, someone who pulls their own weight (and then some), and they want to be on the road with. 

If the answer is yes, then apply. 

If you feel the application process is so lengthy that you don't want to start it until you know your chances, then please don't apply. 

Have you considered taking leave and going to Beale to talk to them?

Edited by HuggyU2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 3/4/2017 at 8:24 PM, HuggyU2 said:

We don't discuss "the breakdown", unless I misunderstand you.  

Ask your Squadron-mates if you're a decent pilot, self-starter, someone they trust, someone who pulls their own weight (and then some), and they want to be on the road with. 

If the answer is yes, then apply. 

If you feel the application process is so lengthy that you don't want to start it until you know your chances, then please don't apply. 

Have you considered taking leave and going to Beale to talk to them?

My mistake, I didn't realize the breakdown was guarded information. I'm not worried about the length of the application process because this job is easily worth all the hoops you have to jump through. And I have been considering taking leave to go visit the base, I just wasn't sure if it was something that would help or hurt. I know some squadrons can be pretty choosy as to who they want waltzing around their halls. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think it's necessarily "guarded" information, it just shouldn't be a factor in your decision cycle. We don't bother publishing it because no two interviewees are the same, they will each make it or not based on their individual attributes or failings. Like special little snowflakes.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, caseylf said:

Are U-2 pilots happier than the rest of the AF?

 

I have no idea.  It is what you make of it.  However, none of the the pilots were told by AFPC they had to go there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, caseylf said:

Are U-2 pilots happier than the rest of the AF?

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk
 

Yes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Do you guys take Majors? I'm not going to be released from RPA purgatory until next year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The experts can correct if required, but the roadshow was in town recently, and they said yes. Their main concern is being able to get ~4 good years out of you.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

20 hours ago, ClearedHot said:

Spoo is happy, the dude never works...if I see another picture of you drinking beer and skiing I am going to file a congressional.

Challenge accepted.

18 hours ago, TreeA10 said:

Must be a suds Zen master to be able to drink beer AND ski at the same time and not spill anything.

It's easier on a snowboard.

5 hours ago, SurelySerious said:


The experts can correct if required, but the roadshow was in town recently, and they said yes. Their main concern is being able to get ~4 good years out of you.

Valid.

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
On 3/25/2016 at 10:31 PM, chuckschwartz said:

Some fellas up at BAB today were saying that this here photograph was 'shopped. Any truth to that?

I am the photographer who took this photo. I took the bridge photo and as I turned to walk away, I heard the planes come behind me. I ran and grabbed another lens to shoot the planes. This is two layers, but nothing is shopped as far as the distance between the planes. I am an amateur photographer who was enjoying a day at the beach. It was a complete coincidence.

I also happen to have a husband who worked at Beale on the U2, and I was a civilian employee there, so I knew exactly how unique and amazing the opportunity was to see these two side by side. They were doing a PR shoot that day which is why there were two. My husband shared the photo on the Dragon Lady fan site and the pilots requested a copy of the photo from me. They were fully aware this was two layers, no secret to anyone. :)

Here is another photo with the planes closer together. This is a RAW image with no retouching.

DSC_0103.JPG

  • Upvote 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
I recall back in 2005 or '06 when PBD 720 was going to retire the U-2, starting in '07, and with the last U-2 gone in '11.  
Uh huh. Yeah.  

I said it back then: "The last U-2 pilot hasn't finished elementary school".  

Oh... just so you know, it's now official:  https://dragonladytoday.com/forum-3/
 
 
  • Upvote 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I recall back in 2005 or '06 when PBD 720 was going to retire the U-2, starting in '07, and with the last U-2 gone in '11.  

Uh huh. Yeah.  


I said it back then: "The last U-2 pilot hasn't finished elementary school".  


Oh... just so you know, it's now official:  
https://dragonladytoday.com/forum-3/
 

 




Best news I've heard in a while. Hoping for an opportunity to interview soon!


Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

A U-2 leadership-related article from JQ Public.  https://www.jqpublicblog.com/id-follow-guy/

Beale currently has... at least in my opinion... a great leadership lineup, all the way from the U-2 DO's up to the Wing CC.  They've had great people in great spots over the years, but it's been a while since ALL of the positions were as good as they are now.  The recent major upgrade to the 9 RW/CV slot completes the team.  

The previous 1 RS and 99 RS commanders were excellent, and the two new commanders (including Lt Col Nussbaum) are top-shelf choices.  

 

Edited by HuggyU2
  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 minutes ago, ThreeHoler said:

Too bad he lifted a lot of that letter from a bad ass Marine who died defending his Harriers at Bastion.

http://www.grandforks.af.mil/News/Commentaries/Display/Article/763766/leadership-lessons-commanders-guidance-marine-aviation-style/

Doesn't necessarily make it any less meaningful.  The message is good and a breath of fresh air from the usual BS.  Huggy's right, it's a great time for the community, lot's of good things happening now and in the near future.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

32 minutes ago, ThreeHoler said:

Too bad he lifted a lot of that letter from a bad ass Marine who died defending his Harriers at Bastion.

http://www.grandforks.af.mil/News/Commentaries/Display/Article/763766/leadership-lessons-commanders-guidance-marine-aviation-style/

We'd be well served if a few more CCs took cue.

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

are U2 IQT/MQT classes based how many folks are applying at any given time?

Or are there a set number of classes each year?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, 1111 said:

are U2 IQT/MQT classes based how many folks are applying at any given time?

Or are there a set number of classes each year?

There are a set number of classes. 

If there is a lull in hiring, a class may go unfilled. 

Edited by HuggyU2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...