Freedom Has A High Price

ANN REAL TIME NEWS -- 1015 EDT The Air Force reported that a U-2 reconnaisance aircraft has crashed in southwest Asia after completing a mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The name of the pilot is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. He was assigned to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing.

"The Airmen of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing mourn the loss of a true American hero in the service of his country," said Col. Darryl Burke, 380th AEW commander.

The Air Force has not released the location or the circumstances of the crash that occurred in a forward deployed location in the early hours of June 22nd. An Air Force spokesman confirmed to ANN that the aircraft was on the final leg of its mission and returning to base when the crash occurred.

The site has been secured for the safety of the public, and a board will conduct an investigation.

The U-2 Dragon Lady is a high-flying aircraft that has been in use for 50 years. They came to the forefront of public attention when Gary Powers was shot down in 1960.

FMI: www.af.mil