26-04-2022

[luxto]

Another "Well done" to all -thank you. Does anyone have an id and configuration details for the 'Dragon 21' that returned to the USA today?

If it was the one that was parked outside in the AM to the left of the main U-2 hangar which was being worked on I’m afraid I didn’t ID it myself but some other guys went round & came back & if memory serves said it was 1080. It was certainly fitted w/ the span pods. Please don’t take this as 100% confirmation as I left after Black01 departed but it would be my good guess.

It was.

[tm74sqn]

Thanks for the answers to my query. If my maths is correct, that leaves just three U-2s based - 68-10329, 80-1069 and 80-1076, of which only '1069 has Span pod?

[luxto]

Thanks for the answers to my query. If my maths is correct, that leaves just three U-2s based - 68-10329, 80-1069 and 80-1076, of which only '1069 has Span pod?

Correct on the serials. All I will say on configurations is that they often change.

[Reach1985]

Thanks for the answers to my query. If my maths is correct, that leaves just three U-2s based - 68-10329, 80-1069 and 80-1076, of which only '1069 has Span pod?

1076 has been the mission bird the last 2 days & has been in the Span configuration.

[luxto]

Thanks for the answers to my query. If my maths is correct, that leaves just three U-2s based - 68-10329, 80-1069 and 80-1076, of which only '1069 has Span pod?

1076 has been the mission bird the last 2 days & has been in the Span configuration.

Nothing like giving the bad guys a heads up on configurations - it gives them a clue as to what the mission is capable of and we shouldn't be doing it.

[Reach1985]

Thanks for the answers to my query. If my maths is correct, that leaves just three U-2s based - 68-10329, 80-1069 and 80-1076, of which only '1069 has Span pod?

1076 has been the mission bird the last 2 days & has been in the Span configuration.

Nothing like giving the bad guys a heads up on configurations - it gives them a clue as to what the mission is capable of and we shouldn't be doing it.

Oh come on, don’t be silly!

Do you think they are looking at FC for this info. They’ll be followed on radar & I’m sure soviet intelligence are well aware of what they are up to.

[Northsky]

I agree with luxto Intel is gathered from more than 1 source.

[Spitfire88]

Luxto is right, the 99ERS have specifically asked people not to post information regarding mission fit.

[Reach1985]

Well in that case ppl better stop posting photos & Youtube links on here then… (which isn’t going to happen).

I think we have to be realistic here - if the Russians want to know who/what/where/how etc. then they will do & there is enough stuff on the net about the various U-2 mission fits for them to work it out (plus the various spies they no doubt have in US intelligence!!)

[tm74sqn]

Luxto is right, the 99ERS have specifically asked people not to post information regarding mission fit.

That is news to me - when and where did that happen?

[Spitfire88]

Luxto is right, the 99ERS have specifically asked people not to post information regarding mission fit.

That is news to me - when and where did that happen?

There have been requests put out via local FB groups from them.

[Reach1985]

Well If they are worried about FC I’m sure it can’t be that hard for the 99th to make contact w/ the admin here! You don’t need a span pod to do that I’m sure!

[Mike]

I shouldn't think that anyone with the 99th are members of the forum, so how do you suggest that they contact Admin?

[Reach1985]

I shouldn't think that anyone with the 99th are members of the forum, so how do you suggest that they contact Admin?

If they can’t even do that then what are the U-2’s for?! Come on - one of the most sophisticated planes flying today & the ppl who run & operate them can’t find a way to contact an admin on FC. Or… they couldn’t care less…. I’d suggest maybe the latter.

[Ollie]

I shouldn't think that anyone with the 99th are members of the forum, so how do you suggest that they contact Admin?

If they can’t even do that then what are the U-2’s for?! Come on - one of the most sophisticated planes flying today & the ppl who run & operate them can’t find a way to contact an admin on FC. Or… they couldn’t care less…. I’d suggest maybe the latter.

We just do as we're asked bud. If they don't want it put out, they ask for it. And they did indeed ask for it back in 2020. It certainly isn't a secret what the jets look like etc, but they want photos and videos to be posted once the mission jet has returned, instead of saying it went up with such and such nosecone. That can give away the mission profile, for lack of a better phrase. Do as they ask and we don't annoy anybody

[Reach1985]

I shouldn't think that anyone with the 99th are members of the forum, so how do you suggest that they contact Admin?

If they can’t even do that then what are the U-2’s for?! Come on - one of the most sophisticated planes flying today & the ppl who run & operate them can’t find a way to contact an admin on FC. Or… they couldn’t care less…. I’d suggest maybe the latter.

We just do as we're asked bud. If they don't want it put out, they ask for it. And they did indeed ask for it back in 2020. It certainly isn't a secret what the jets look like etc, but they want photos and videos to be posted once the mission jet has returned, instead of saying it went up with such and such nosecone. That can give away the mission profile, for lack of a better phrase. Do as they ask and we don't annoy anybody

Absolutely - I wasn’t tying to be difficult. This is my first time at FFD seeing the Dragons & i wasn’t aware what, if any ‘rules’ there were. Seeing all the info about missions & photos/videos etc. I guessed it wasn’t too much of a secret. I’m off back home next wk. so I won’t be able to upset anyone else I hope

[Ollie]

If they can’t even do that then what are the U-2’s for?! Come on - one of the most sophisticated planes flying today & the ppl who run & operate them can’t find a way to contact an admin on FC. Or… they couldn’t care less…. I’d suggest maybe the latter.

We just do as we're asked bud. If they don't want it put out, they ask for it. And they did indeed ask for it back in 2020. It certainly isn't a secret what the jets look like etc, but they want photos and videos to be posted once the mission jet has returned, instead of saying it went up with such and such nosecone. That can give away the mission profile, for lack of a better phrase. Do as they ask and we don't annoy anybody

Absolutely - I wasn’t tying to be difficult. This is my first time at FFD seeing the Dragons & i wasn’t aware what, if any ‘rules’ there were. Seeing all the info about missions & photos/videos etc. I guessed it wasn’t too much of a secret. I’m off back home next wk. so I won’t be able to upset anyone else I hope

Something to bare in mind for the future then, locals know best

As I said, it's certainly not a secret. But as they requested us to not post photos or not share mission configurations, we just do as we're asked. Last thing we want is to be responsible for international incidents etc etc

[Reach1985]

We just do as we're asked bud. If they don't want it put out, they ask for it. And they did indeed ask for it back in 2020. It certainly isn't a secret what the jets look like etc, but they want photos and videos to be posted once the mission jet has returned, instead of saying it went up with such and such nosecone. That can give away the mission profile, for lack of a better phrase. Do as they ask and we don't annoy anybody

Absolutely - I wasn’t tying to be difficult. This is my first time at FFD seeing the Dragons & i wasn’t aware what, if any ‘rules’ there were. Seeing all the info about missions & photos/videos etc. I guessed it wasn’t too much of a secret. I’m off back home next wk. so I won’t be able to upset anyone else I hope

Something to bare in mind for the future then, locals know best

As I said, it's certainly not a secret. But as they requested us to not post photos or not share mission configurations, we just do as we're asked. Last thing we want is to be responsible for international incidents etc etc

Thanks Ollie. I’ll keep stum!

[Ollie]

Absolutely - I wasn’t tying to be difficult. This is my first time at FFD seeing the Dragons & i wasn’t aware what, if any ‘rules’ there were. Seeing all the info about missions & photos/videos etc. I guessed it wasn’t too much of a secret. I’m off back home next wk. so I won’t be able to upset anyone else I hope

Something to bare in mind for the future then, locals know best

As I said, it's certainly not a secret. But as they requested us to not post photos or not share mission configurations, we just do as we're asked. Last thing we want is to be responsible for international incidents etc etc

Thanks Ollie. I’ll keep stum!

And thank you for the updates this past week, they've been few are far between elsewhere so it has been nice to know what jet is currently flying the missions.