An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U-2 pilot flies first combat sortie

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski
  • U.S. AFCENT Combat Camera Team
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  As the pilot was helped into his suit for his first combat mission, he was all smiles -- an appropriate reaction for an Airman named Gryn.

Capt. Peter J. Gryn is a U-2 Dragonlady pilot on his first deployment from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., home of the famous plane that flies above 70,000 feet.

The Hadley, Mich., native had dreams of being an astronaut as a child and was selected for the U-2 program in February 2008.

"No other plane in the world can do what it does," said Captain Gryn, one of the newest members of the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron. "Every airframe contributes to the fight in its own way, but when it comes to high altitude (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), the U-2 is the way to go. It's been doing the job for a long time and it works."

Because of how high the Dragonlady flies, pilots are able to capture signals and imagery intelligence on a scale like no other, said the squadron commander, Lt. Col. Kirt Stallings.

"U-2s map the battle space for combatant commanders at every level," said Colonel Stallings, a Houston native. "On a tactical level, we talk directly with troops to let them know what's ahead of them down the road. At the strategic level, we get the information leaders need so they can make better educated decisions."

Which is exactly why Captain Gryn wanted to fly it. Before he was "this close to being a spaceman," the captain was an instructor pilot. But his desire to find a way to fly missions in direct support of ground missions inspired him to apply for the U-2 program.
The missions are extremely demanding. The pilots fly at the edge of space in a heavy suit confined in a cramped cockpit. A single sortie lasts 10 hours.

"Each mission is different, so it never gets boring," Captain Gryn said. "But this is my first combat mission, so I'm pretty excited anyway."