Photo By Senior Airman Ross Tweten | Capt. Heather Fox, 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron U-2 Dragon Lady pilot,...... read more read more
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By Senior Airman Ross M. Tweten
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA – In its 50 years of flight, the U-2 Dragon Lady's controls have been occupied by only six women pilots.
Three of those six are currently in the Air Force, and two of those three are currently fighting in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing's 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron; the only U-2 squadron in the area of responsibility.
Maj. Merryl Tengesdal and Capt. Heather Fox, both U-2 pilots with the 99th ERS, home-stationed out of Beale Air Force Base, Calif., continue to add to women's and the U-2's history, while fighting the Global War On Terror 70,000 feet in the air.
From these altitudes, Tengesdal and Fox, along with their wingmen of the 99th ERS, provide other warfighters with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance of the battle space.
Since its introduction in 1957, the U-2 and the men and women 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.
"After we've completed a mission, and landed the aircraft, it's rewarding to know that we've helped the forces on the ground, and kept them safe," said Fox. "Even after 50 years, the U-2 has a significant impact on the mission."
According to Lt. Col. Thomas Engle, 99th ERS commander, the U-2 is an unforgiving aircraft which requires exceptional airmanship to fly and is arguably the most difficult aircraft in the world to land. Pilots are carefully screened before being accepted for training, to include a three sortie interview profile to determine the applicant's aptitude for flying the "Deuce." Less than half of the candidates invited to interview eventually get qualified to fly combat reconnaissance missions in the aircraft. Missions in excess of nine hours wearing a full pressure suit while flying at extreme altitudes are very fatiguing and require a high degree of professional commitment.
"Maj. Tengesdal and Capt. Fox are both experienced U-2 instructor pilots bringing a high level of maturity and skill to the 99th ERS," said Engle. "I place a high degree of trust in these officers, as they face tough decisions every day to keep our pilots and aircraft safe while executing the mission; and they do it admirably."
Less than 850 Airmen have piloted the U-2 since its introduction. According to Fox, the small number of women whose names are on that list is just another number.
"To be perfectly honest I really don't think it's that big of a deal," she said. "The aircraft flies the same for women as it does for men. I'm just glad I'm a part of an aircraft with such a great mission."
According to Tengesdal, every contribution in the military is important to winning the GWOT.
"As a pilot, all that matters is the mission, no matter if you're male or female," she said. "We get it done out here, and I'm happy to be a contributing member of this team. It's an honor to be a part of the U-2 heritage."
| Date Taken: | 03.28.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 03.28.2008 12:01 |
| Story ID: | 17857 |
| Location: | (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) |
| Web Views: | 430 |
| Downloads: | 184 |
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