A U- 2 approaches an altitude near 70,000 feet above California, March 23, 2016. Worldwide flying operations for the U-2 have not been impacted as a result of a recent crash at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Sept. 20, 2016.
Worldwide flying operations for the U-2 have not been impacted as a result of a recent crash at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Sept. 20.
The demand signal for the U-2 to continue supporting combatant commanders and meet national security objectives has not diminished. The aircraft continues to be flown globally by highly trained pilots.
As a result of the crash, Beale Air Force Base put a hold on local flying training missions in order to respond to the incident. The 9th Reconnaissance Wing intends to return to normal flying operations this week.
“Our ability to fly missions in support of commanders has not been impacted by the recent crash. We continue to carry out our mission of providing high altitude (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and delivering that decision advantage to combatant commanders,” said Col. Larry Broadwell, the 9th RW commander.
The aircraft crash is currently under investigation.