U-2 reconnaissance jets fly missions to survey Katrina situation

Published: Sep 02, 2005
Source: www.appeal-democrat.com



U-2 pilots from Beale Air Force Base are flying reconnaissance missions to aid the Hurricane Katrina relief effort in the southeastern United States.

Lt. Col. David Russell made the first flight at 4 a.m. Thursday with a sinuous flight path over the ravaged areas, taking pictures from 60,000 feet above. He returned to Beale at about 3: 30 p.m. Another pilot will carry out the same mission today, according to Beale officials.

Beale is handling this mission as it would a mission in Afghanistan or Iraq, according to Maj. Todd Berrier, director of operations for the 9th Intelligence Squadron.continue..