canberraman Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 I was recently lucky enough to visit Beale AFB, near Marysville in Northern California. For many years Beale has been the home of the USAF's 9th Reconnaissance Wing - once home to the mighty SR-71, and more recently the U-2 Dragon Lady, and now also the RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV. Also at Beale are a small fleet of T-38A Talons that provide continuity training for the U2 pilots of the 99th RS. Here are a few of the images from that day. A TU-2S twin seat U-S trainer variant on completion of a sortie with a trainee pilot on board. The ground crew fit the outer wing pogo wheels to allow the Dragon Lady to taxi back to parking An older variant of the U-2 is this U-2C that is kept in pristine condition and on display near the Wing HQ. Also on permanent display is this magnificent SR-71 Another view that shows the SR-71 alongside a Lockheed D-21 drone Pre-flighting a T-38A Talon 9th RW flagship T-38 Hope these are of interest. C&C always welcome. Mark 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve27752 Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 (edited) I think that they are very interesting, thank you for posting them. I like the black T38's. Edited April 17, 2016 by Steve27752 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Great set Mark. Thanks for sharing. Did you get to ride in the chase Mustang? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Bradley Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Very nice! How did you wangle that visit? I got in there with a friend back in 1990, when the SRs were still around, but wasn't allowed to take photos. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberraman Posted April 17, 2016 Author Share Posted April 17, 2016 Great set Mark. Thanks for sharing. Did you get to ride in the chase Mustang? Thanks for the comments. And yes I did get to ride the chase car but it was a Dodge Charger and not a Mustang! Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Thanks for the comments. And yes I did get to ride the chase car but it was a Dodge Charger and not a Mustang! Mark Wow! The must have been awesome! (I think I prefer the Charger the Mustang anyway!) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberraman Posted April 17, 2016 Author Share Posted April 17, 2016 Very nice! How did you wangle that visit? I got in there with a friend back in 1990, when the SRs were still around, but wasn't allowed to take photos. Thanks for the comments Paul. I managed the visit through a colleague with contacts at the 9th. Photography was controlled so while the shots shown were OK, the Global Hawk and operational U-2s were off limits. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 Wonderful shots 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberraman Posted April 23, 2016 Author Share Posted April 23, 2016 Thanks everyone for the kind comments and likes. Regards Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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