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380AEW Article

Photo essay: U-2 Dragonlady -- 'Combat ops...never stops!'

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  On. Feb. 16, 2010, despite a morning fog, a U-2 Dragonlady from the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron moved out for a combat mission from a non-disclosed base here. 

According to its Air Force fact sheet, the U-2 provides high-altitude, all-weather surveillance and reconnaissance, day or night, in direct support of U.S. and allied forces. It delivers critical imagery and signals intelligence to decision makers throughout all phases of conflict, including peacetime indications and warnings, low-intensity conflict, and large-scale hostilities. 

The deployed U-2s, from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., and the 99th ERS are part of he 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. The 380th AEW is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The wing supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.