HuggyU2

Just spoke to one of the two pilots that flew the photo op. Great story... great support by Beale PA (again)... and hopefully they will release some great photos in the near future. I'm officially the Doubting Jackass of the Week. Foot inserted into mouth, and humble pie has been eaten.

This is one of those time I'm ecstatic that I've been told I'm wrong. Had it been shot with wet film instead of digital, I'd have been more likely to believe it... something any U-2 pilot or Intel officer can appreciate. I'll gladly buy drinks to all involved on my next visit to the squadron,...probably this week. I'll drop a bunch of $2 bills in the kitty. Kudos to the leadership there for approving it. Despite the institutional issues in the AF, Beale and the U-2 Program is a great place to be, and a great place to fly.

Not great but the window is adequate MOA work was 180-220 KIAS, and I was at 35-60 flaps in the T-38 I had the U-2 fly 190-200 KIAS on the low approachs with the Gust Up (the flaps are -6 degrees), and I flew with 60 flaps in the T-38. We did it 2 or 3 times, and I had 1500# when we started. Normally, the U-2 would fly the final turn at 90 KIAS... Slowing to around 75-80 by the time it reaches the threshold. I remember getting a good look at the ILS glideslope antenna on each low approach. It was filmed over 2 days. All of the T-38 shots and external shots of the U-2 were done on Day 1 with aviation photographer Sagar Pathak in the T-38 with me. The pilot of the U-2 was Slam. All shots taken from inside the U-2 were on Day 2, using a two-seat U-2 with Sagar in the backseat. The magic of video editing allows me to be the pilot of both jets in the video.

Yes... no doubt it's photo shopped. I tried numerous times in my career to get U-2's in formation. Disapproved, Captain! I coordinated the photo shoot that ended up on the cover of Flying Magazine in 2009, and after months of work to make it happen, it didn't get approved until the 11th hour... and it took COMACC approval. Yes... as crazy at it is, a 4-star had to bless it. Not a 1-star... not a 2-star... not even a 3-star. No, it took the full-four-star power of Gen Corley (who is actually a great leader) to decide that this was something us lesser mortals could pull off. Seriously? Somehow, Kuma and I executed the photo shoot leaving Oshkosh in 2008, and managed to not kill anyone or break any gov't equipment in the process. A year later... getting a dissimilar U-2/T-38 photo chase would have never happened except that AF Magazine asked for it, and it got approved in 2010. Oddly enough, this got quietly delegated to me and a few others, and we just did it quietly. As you can see from the video, we got some great shots. Literally, the Group and Wing leadership... although having been notified it was approved by HQ... were completely unaware of what we were doing. No wonder it went so smoothly. A still photo from the shoot ended up on the cover of Air & Space Magazine: But getting approval to fly TWO U-2's... in formation... over the Golden Gate... at 1800' MSL... in the current climate of sequestration and risk aversion... are you shitting me? Or just taking crazy pills? Well... I'm no longer on the A-Team. Instead, I quietly cruise the aisles of the commissary in my velcro-strap tennis shoes, sans-a-belt jumpsuit, and "USAF Retiree" ball cap... but I'll bet my last dollar this is a photo shop. I cannot imagine "my Air Force" allowing a couple of professional aviators to do something as "CRAZY" as what this photo appears to show. P.S. on the subject of "risk aversion", let me get on my soapbox... <rant on> Back around early 2012, Maj Gen Lyon came to visit Beale AFB when he was ACC Director of Ops. He decided that Beale's T-38 program shouldn't do extended trail, close trail in excess of 60 degrees of bank, and 'four-ship formation', along with a few other things that His Eminence figured was beyond the capabilities of the unwashed pilots of the Recce community. This didn't apply to other ACC T-38 bases, only Beale. Never mind the fact that UPT students do this shit solo, and that there has never been a Class A at Beale involving U-2 pilot buffoonery. He promulgated this edict verbally... and it became law via FCIF. Not Vol 3... just a local FCIF. Lyon retired about 2-3 years ago. However, since then, has anyone at the O-6 level rescinded Lyon's off-the-cuff restriction to Beale T-38 flying? A purely verbal policy that is not in print anywhere except the local FCIF? An unwritten, undocumented utterance from someone who is no longer on active duty?? Nope. Four years later... still in effect. I suppose this thread derailment belongs in one of the "What's Wrong with the Air Force" threads... so I'll shut up now. Please... carry on. Wow... I feel much better having gotten that off my chest. P.P.S. Fvck off Ram... and go get me an Ensure.

What was his class ranking?

Not retiring in 2019? Who would have guessed that??

Sinking? Haha...! Go get my Ensure, Ram.

Do you honestly believe there is a pilot shortage?

Mr Lim is still alive and kicking?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Übermensch

Despite being a strong political statement, I'm going to post this for the good of everyone on this website.

Wow... those are ugly.

Perfect point defense weapon when an F-35 is doing LOWAT. http://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/man-who-shot-crop-dusting-plane-18-times-sentenced#.VsTmF8p4t08.twitter

I haven't confirmed it, but word has it he is on a leave of absence until his retirement later this year.

Get a lawyer before you do it.

I maybe misunderstanding y'all. He wants to advertise in a location that specializes in finding former military talent. I know LinkedIn is generic. I'll look at Indeed tonight.

I have a friend with a small but successful high tech company that builds computer hardware. They want to hire a former military person that has an engineering degree (obtained before or after their Service... doesn't matter). I think they are not pleased with their current prospects right out of college, and want someone mature that can deal with life. Where can employers go to advertise for such non-flying tech jobs? I'll pass on any suggestions. Thanks.

Perfect relics for the Heritage Room.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/us-army-doctor-returns-arm-to-vietnamese-soldier-fifty-years-after-he-took-it-as-a-souvenir-8681787.html

We stayed up late that night, and watched a gazillion F-111's taxi and takeoff in waves from Taif. What a sight. I had to launch a few hours later, but there was no way I could sleep. I was keyed up as I was 6 weeks into my first U-2 deployment. That was quite a memorable flight.

So no "board"... but there will be a "get together" to determine who to interview? Not sure I see the nuance there.

For you retirees... Your thoughts on wearing the Mess Dress at formal events. I'll have 4-5 events in 2016 where this will matter. 1. Military graduation where graduates will wear their Service Dress: would you wear yours? 2. Formal dinner event where you will see a lot of tuxedos, but that will also have active duty military in mess dress. Which will you wear? I've become partial to the civilian tux recently (and will likely wear that), but am curious what the rest of you do. You're not a retiree? Then keep your opinions to yourself, junior, and get the hell off of my lawn.

Any new boots... approved or not... that come recommended? Im looking for the "lightest" I can find. The TR103 is a minimalist boot, but the reviews online are very mixed, and I would expect better before buying it.

If you're unaware if there is even a process, how would you know what those reimbursement costs would be?

Must have had a sinus block on his Tweet dollar ride.