In its 50 years of
flight, only six women have flown the U-2 'Dragon Lady.'
Three of those six are currently in the Air Force, and two of those
three are currently fighting in operations Enduring Freedom and
Iraqi Freedom with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing's 99th
Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, the only U-2 squadron in
U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility.
Air Force Maj. Merryl Tengesdal and Capt. Heather Fox, both U-2
pilots with 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron deployed
from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., continue to add to history while
fighting the global war on terror 70,000 feet in the air.
From these altitudes, Tengesdal and Fox along with their
wingmen, provide other warfighters with intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance of the battle space. Since its introduction in
1957, the U-2 and the men and women who support it have provided
the United States with an unmatched upper hand on the enemy by
providing high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance to commanders.
"After we've completed a mission and landed the aircraft, it's
rewarding to know that we've helped the forces on the ground and
kept them safe," Fox said. "Even after 50 years, the U-2 has a
significant impact on the mission."
Air Force Lt. Col. Thomas Engle, 99th Expeditionary
Reconnaissance Squadron commander, described the U-2 as an
unforgiving aircraft that requires exceptional airmanship to fly,
and he said it arguably is the most difficult aircraft in the world
to land. Pilots are carefully screened before being accepted for
training, a process that includes a three-sortie interview profile
to determine the applicant's aptitude for flying the "Deuce."
Fewer than half of candidates invited to interview eventually
qualify to fly combat reconnaissance missions in the aircraft.
Missions of nine or more hours wearing a full pressure suit while
flying at extreme altitudes are very fatiguing and require a high
degree of professional commitment, Engle said.
"Major Tengesdal and Captain Fox are both experienced U-2
instructor pilots, bringing a high level of maturity and skill to
the 99th ERS," he said. "I place a high degree of trust in these
officers, as they face tough decisions every day to keep our pilots
and aircraft safe while executing the mission, and they do it
admirably."
Only about 850 airmen have flown the U-2 since its introduction.
Fox said the small number of women whose names are on that list is
just another number.
"To be perfectly honest, I really don't think it's that big of a
deal," she said. "The aircraft flies the same for women as it does
for men. I'm just glad I'm a part of an aircraft with such a great
mission."
Tengesdal said every contribution in the military is important
to winning the global war on terror.
"As a pilot, all that matters is the mission, no matter if
you're male or female," she said. "We get it done out here, and I'm
happy to be a contributing member of this team. It's an honor to be
a part of the U-2 heritage." [ANN Salutes Air Force Senior Airman
Ross M. Tweten, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Office]