Capt. Ross Franquemont shakes the hands of the crew chiefs who have prepared his jet for a reconnaissance mission March 5 at Southwest Asia air base. The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing hosts the only U-2 squadron in the area of responsibility, providing high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for support in winning the war on terrorism. Captain Franquemont is a U-2 pilot from the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Levi Riendeau)
Senior Airman Jonathan Cantrell removes the cooling tube from a U-2 sensor pod as the pilot prepares to take off for a mission March 5 at a Southwest Asia air base. The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing hosts the only U-2 squadron in the area of responsibility, providing high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for support in winning the war on terrorism. Airman Cantrell is a crew chief with the 99th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Levi Riendeau)
Staff Sgt. Nikolina Kreager ensures a U-2 pilot is set for the day's mission by checking the flight suit to make sure it can pressurize properly at high altitudes March 5 at a Southwest Asia air base. The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing hosts the only U-2 squadron in the area of responsibility, providing high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for support in winning the war on terrorism. Sergeant Kreager is a life support specialist with the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Levi Riendeau)
by Senior Airman Ross Tweten
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
3/12/2008 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Airmen of the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron here continue to add to the U-2's 51-year history by being the only U-2 squadron in the area of responsibility supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Since its introduction in 1957, the U-2 and the Airmen who support it have provided the United States and all its branches of military, with an unmatched upper hand on the enemy by providing high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to commanders past and present.
"Even after 50 years of flying, the U-2 is still an important part of the mission," said Maj. Merryl Tengesdal, the 99th ERS aircraft commander. "There are other platforms out there that try to duplicate what we do, but so far it has proven to be a challenge."
The mission of the 99th ERS, out of Beale Air Force Base, Calif., sounds simple: To provide high altitude ISR to the warfighter. But what goes into supporting that mission is much more demanding.
The physiological support division of the 99th ERS is made up of Airmen who are essentially the lifeline to the pilot of the aircraft. They're in charge of prepping the seat kit, loading the parachute, and setting up the pressure suit for the pilot to get dressed in for the day's mission.
Due to the U-2 flying at altitudes of more than 70,000 feet, loss of cabin pressure is potentially fatal to a pilot. The Airmen from the PSD maintain the suits that keep the pilots alive and able to continue flying the fragmentary order.
Maintenance on this dynamic airframe is difficult, but comes with a lot of distinction.
"Maintainers of this airframe deploy a lot," said Senior Airman Christina Pagan, a 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron U-2 avionics specialist. "But you get to see and learn about all the specialized capabilities it can be equipped with for missions."
"It's rewarding to know that as a maintainer of the U-2 you're part of a small group of people who maintains the premiere ISR airframe in the inventory," said Senior Airman Donald Adams, a 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron U-2 crew chief. "Every day we fly this aircraft we are making history."
Pride is a common trait among the Airmen who make the U-2 mission possible.
"It's rewarding to know that we provide information to the troops on the ground that might save their life," Major Tengesdal said. "There are less than 850 U-2 pilots in its over 50-year history. It's an honor to be a part of the U-2 heritage, and to be fighting in the war on terrorism."
Supporting and winning the war is the mindset of every Airman affiliated with the U-2.
"With the information the U-2 provides, we're watching over our sister services, to ensure they all go home safe," Airman Pagan said.
"Our mission is to protect our friends, family and nation," Airman Adams said.
