The story behind a rare 2-plane U-2 spy plane mission over California

Get the Full StoryUS Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo

Two U-2 Dragon Lady reconnaissance planes flew over California in March 2016.

The rare formation is also known as "The Double Deuce."

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The majority of the strategic ISR Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance platforms operate as single-ships: The "recce" aircraft is launched from its homebase or from a forward operating location and it is flown by the recon pilot on a pre-planned photo route, "alone and unafraid." The U-2 Dragon Lady is among them.

Since its first flight back in 1955 and throughout its career, the legendary reconnaissance plane has always operated close if not over enemy territory, gathering vital intelligence from an altitude of 70,000 feet where most of enemy interceptors or surface to air missiles could not reach it. Up there, at the "edge of space" as someone dubbed it , there's no need to fly in pair as you don't need the mutual support a wingman provides.See the rest of the story at Business InsiderNOW WATCH: The U-2 spy plane is so hard to fly pilots have to perform a 'controlled crash' just to land itSee Also:Check out this F-117 Nighthawk stealth aircraft being restored for display at the Ronald Reagan Library8 aircraft the US Air Force could get rid of to pay for other thingsUS F-35 fighter jets are all still 'below service expectations' for all the services that have themSEE ALSO: U-2 spy planes have lurked all over the world for 64 years here's how the Dragon Lady keeps an eye on the battlefield

Share: