Popular Aircraft Will Fly From Beale AFB For Weeklong Display

EAA announced that the U.S. Air Force will bring one of its most popular high-altitude ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) aircraft, the Lockheed U-2 “Dragon Lady” to this year’s AirVenture Oshkosh Fly-in and Convention for the week of July 21-27 at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The U-2 will fly from Beale Air Force Base near Yuba City, north of Sacramento, California, and will be on display the entire week to commemorate the aircraft’s 70th anniversary, first flying in August 1955.

Arriving with the U-2 and flying alongside her will be a T-38 Talon, a supersonic jet trainer that has served in a variety of roles in training pilots in the Air Force. It is used primarily by the Air Education and Training Command for front-line fighter and bomber aircraft training.

A second U-2 pilot will also assist with the arrival by following the aircraft in a high-performance vehicle during the landing. The two pilots communicate by radio to coordinate a successful landing.

Rick Larsen, Vice President of Communities and Member Programs for EAA, coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. He said, “The U-2 continues to play a vital role in ISR operations for the United States and remains an iconic aircraft among the Air Force fleet.

"We welcome the crew to Oshkosh and appreciate the opportunity to have one on display at EAA AirVenture.”

FMI:  www.eaa.org/