News>U-2 reconnaissance aircraft deployed to aid Japan relief efforts
Photos
A U-2 high-altitude, all-weather surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft departs from Osan Air Base, South Korea, March 13, 2011, to capture imagery of the earthquake- and tsunami-affected areas of Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Paul Holcomb)
Ron Deagle (left) and Rod Blazvick prepare to load an optical bar camera into a U-2 high-altitude, all-weather surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft March 13, 2011, at Osan Air Base, South Korea. The U-2 was being prepared for a humanitarian mission to capture imagery of the earthquake- and tsunami-affected areas of Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Paul Holcomb)
Tech. Sgt. Vontez Morrow preps U-2 pilot Capt. Beau Block for a humanitarian mission March 13, 2011, that will depart from Osan Air Base, South Korea, to capture imagery of the earthquake- and tsunami-affected areas of Japan. Sergeant Morrow and Captain Block are assigned to the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Paul Holcomb)
Capt. Beau Block climbs into a U-2 high-altitude, all-weather surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft March 13, 2011 at Osan Air Base, South Korea, to fly a humanitarian mission to capture imagery of the earthquake- and tsunami-affected areas of Japan. Captain Block is with the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Paul Holcomb)
by Tech. Sgt. Stacy Foster
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
3/13/2011 - OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) -- As Japan copes with the aftermath of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck March 11, the United States has sent help in the form of personnel, equipment and a watchful eye in the sky: a U-2 high-altitude, all-weather surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft from the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron here.
In conjunction with an RQ-4 Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft from the 9th Operations Group's Detachment 3 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, the U-2 has been deployed to capture high-resolution, broad-area synoptic imagery, by using an optical bar camera producing traditional film products which are developed and analyzed after landing
Once the aircraft returns with the film, it will be shipped to Beale AFB, Calif., where experts with the 9th Intelligence Squadron will process and analyze the 10,500 feet of film.
"The broad, synoptic collection of large land mass and littorals are of great benefit to decision makers," said Lt. Col. Spencer Thomas, the 5th RS commander. "It will aid them in determining locations and extent of damage the earthquake and tsunami have left."
Colonel Thomas also said the imagery can be likened to X-rays of a medical injury.
"It's like a personal injury; immediately after the event, one must determine where and how they have been injured," he said. "Our mission serves that function."
From start to finish, the mission is expected to take four to five days. Colonel Thomas said once they were notified, it took about 12 hours of planning and preparation to get the plane off the ground.
Staff Sgt. William Ehinger, a U-2 crew chief with the 5th RS, led his team quickly to ensure the aircraft was ready to launch.
"I am proud to be part of the humanitarian mission to help our allies," he said. "In fact, all Airmen in the 5th RS are proud to be helping out to provide the data Japan needs to rebuild their country."
Because the U-2 flies at such a high altitude -- more than 70,000 feet -- the pilot must wear a complete pressure suit similar to those worn by astronauts. This process of preparing the pilot takes a couple hours to complete.
The upload of the camera, which is much larger than a typical camera, weighs about 300 pounds, with the film weighing more than 120 pounds. Six hours later, the aircraft has been prepared.
"These kinds of missions require much, much more than a pilot, an aircraft and a sensor," Colonel Thomas said. "The extended teamwork associated with this sort of effort reaches across multiple squadrons."
During this humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission, Colonel Thomas said everyone involved was keenly focused on the task at hand, as they are in any mission.
"It's an extended network of Airmen, Americans, reaching out to assist our friends and allies in Japan," he said. "They're our friends and we're going to do whatever we can to help them."
Comments
4/23/2011 12:32:10 AM ET The use of both these critical assets speaks of an understanding of vital collection planning and timing. GREAT JOB, 9RW!
Frank Furr, Park City UT
3/29/2011 8:43:48 PM ET The days of the U-2 are numbered why not take this tragedy and turn it into a highlight for the employment of unmanned systems. Hopefully the U-2's service ceiling doesn't subject the pilot to radiation. This is the perfect job for an unmanned vehicle. Thomas and his guys need to focus on keeping the nieghbors to the north in check not sun surfing into publicity.
Paul, Northern California
3/16/2011 4:39:07 PM ET Making me proud miss you guys IYABYAS
Monty, Kadena AB Japan
3/14/2011 2:33:10 PM ET That is so wonderful that the AF and Col Thomas are ready, able and willing to help a country so greatly in need...
