Life as a U-2 spy plane pilot
A U-2S Dragon Lady instructor pilot, assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, sits in the cockpit of a U-2S Dragon Lady aircraft as he prepares the plane for a routine sortie at Beale Air Force Base, California June 14, 2016.
The U-2 is a high-altitude surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flown by airmen that contributes to U.S. military campaigns around the world.
U-2 spy plane
U.S. Air Force pilots assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing taxi a U-2S Dragon Lady aircraft to the runway as they prepare to launch from Beale Air Force Base, California, June 14, 2016.
U-2S pilots fly the reconnaissance plane several times a week to maintain their flight hours in order to be prepared for real-world missions around the globe.
U-2 spy plane
A U.S. Air Force aircraft maintainer assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing completes the final inspection of a U-2S Dragon Lady aircraft before pilots taxi the plane out of the hanger to the runway at Beale Air Force Base, California, June 14, 2016.
Maintenance personnel work around-the-clock to keep the U-2S ready to launch for any mission around the globe.
U-2 spy plane
A U-2S Dragon Lady instructor pilot, assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, hits nearly 100 mph in a chase car behind a U2 Dragon Lady aircraft as it lands at Beale Air Force Base, California, June 14, 2016.
The U2S aircraft structure can make it challenging to land, so to ensure a safe and accurate landing, an additional U-2S pilot operates as a ground-based wingman who communicates with the pilot in the cockpit of the plane. The wingman lets the pilot know how many feet they are from the ground and which way to direct the aircraft's rudder to keep the plane on the runway.
U-2 spy plane
A U-2S Dragon Lady pilot, assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, is transported to the flight line in his full-pressure suit as he prepares for a routine sortie at Beale Air Force Base, California, June 14, 2016.
Early models of the reconnaissance aircraft began service in the early 1950s. The modern-day fleet was completed in the 1980's and is an integral tool used by combatant commanders to gather an array of intelligence.
U-2 spy plane
A 9th Physiology Support Squadron launch and recovery technician talks with a U-2S Dragon Lady pilot while conducting a pre-flight inspection of a full-pressure suit prior to the pilots flight at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., June 15, 2016.
PSS launch and recovery technicians are a crucial part of the U-2S reconnaissance mission, as they are fully responsible for ensuring every pilots full pressure suit is 100 percent operational at all times.
U-2 spy plane
A U.S. Air Force aircraft maintainer, assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, attaches wheels to the wings of a U-2S Dragon Lady aircraft as the pilot of the plane taxis to the hangar after returning from a routine sortie at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., June 14, 2016.
Both sets of wheels beneath the wings of the U-2S are used for stabilization when the plane takes off and taxis.
During takeoff as the plane lifts into the air, both sets of wheels detach from the aircraft and are gathered by airmen who reattach them when the aircraft lands.
U-2 spy plane
A U-2S Dragon Lady pilot, assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, prepares for a routine sortie at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., June 15, 2016.
U-2S pilots go through an extensive preparation process prior to each flight due to some of the altitudes they reach during flight.
U-2 spy plane
A U-2S Dragon Lady pilot, assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, looks out the window of a pilot transport truck as he is driven to his aircraft at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., June 15, 2016.
The transport process of pilots to their planes is a team effort of several airmen who check and double check the pilot's equipment and plane to ensure everything is functioning correctly.
U-2 spy plane
A U-2S Dragon Lady pilot, assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, gives a thumbs up as he takes off for a routine sortie at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., June 15, 2016.
U-2 spy plane
The landing gear on a U-2S Dragon Lady aircraft assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing retracts as the plane climbs into the sky after taking off from Beale, Air Force Base, Calif., June 15, 2016.
The U-2S is an asset used by the U.S. Air Force for several operations around the globe.
U-2 spy plane
As the sun begins to set, a U-2S Dragon Lady aircraft assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing climbs to altitude after launching from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., June 15, 2016.
U-2 pilots often operate at altitudes of up to 70,000 feet where they conduct some of the military's most critical reconnaissance.
U-2 spy plane
As the sun begins to set, a U-2S Dragon Lady aircraft assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing climbs to altitude after launching from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., June 15, 2016.
U-2 spy plane
A U-2S Dragon Lady pilot, assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, (left) and Staff Sgt. Jarret McNeely, 9th Physiology Support Squadron launch and recovery technician, exit a transport truck to make their way to a U-2S aircraft at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., June 15, 2016.
As pilots move to their planes, meticulous steps are taken by the flight crew to ensure the pilot is comfortable and secure in his or her aircraft and fully prepared for the mission.
U-2 spy plane
U.S. Air Force 9th Physiology Support Squadron launch and recovery technicians secure the helmet of a full pressure suit for a U-2S pilot in preparation for a flight at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., June 15, 2016.
The suit allows U-2 pilots to safely fly at altitudes reaching 70,000 feet.
U-2 spy plane
A U.S. Air Force U-2S Dragon Lady pilot assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing goes through his pre-flight routine prior to being transported to the flight line to conduct a routine sortie at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., June 15, 2016.
Due to the high operating altitude and the cockpit's partial pressurization, equivalent to 28,000 feet pressure altitude, the pilot wears a partially pressurized high pressure suit which delivers the pilot's oxygen supply and provides emergency protection in case cabin pressure is lost.