Veteran U-2 pilot completes long, rewarding career

Source URL: http://www.beale.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123078591
Posted at: http://www.air-attack/com/news/news_article/2894

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE Calif. -- Maj. Greg "Coach" Nelson piloted his final U-2 flight Thursday, concluding a long-running Air Force career.

"This is a very significant event for me," said Major Nelson, 1st Reconnaissance Squadron assistant director of operations. "It has been an amazing career and I've been truly blessed to be a part of this.

"When I was up there, I thought about the jet," Major Nelson said. "I thought about my 16 years with it; how it was different then than it is now and how it has come a long ways in its development. I've flown this jet all over the world and it has always brought me home. I'm gonna miss it."

Major Nelson has flown the U-2 for over 16 years and amassed over 2,750 hours in the U-2 - the current record for any Air Force Dragonlady pilot.

The major entered the Air Force in 1986 after graduating from California Polytechnic University at Pomona and the Loyola Marymount Reserve Officer Training Corps. From there he was sent to Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas where he learned to fly T-37s and T-38s.

"I met Coach in 1988 in Lubbock, Texas, and we've followed each other around ever since," said Lt. Col. Charles Cunningham, 9th Operations Group, and friend to Maj. Nelson. "We'll miss him. He's the most experienced pilot we have. He's flown more in 16 years than anyone else."

In the early '90s, Major Nelson put in his application to fly the U-2 Dragonlady. By 1992 he was in the air, above 70,000 feet. He later acquired the nickname "Coach" because he closely resembled actor Craig T. Nelson from the TV sitcom "Coach."

"I flew the U-2 here at Beale from 1992 to 1996," Major Nelson said. "From 1996 to 2001 I flew at Palmdale (Edwards AFB) as a U-2 test pilot. Then I came back here after 9/11 to help fly the U-2 operationally for the Global War on Terror."

After the Air Force, Major Nelson and his family plan to move to New Mexico. The major has already been hired as a civilian test pilot for a growing aviation company in Albuquerque.

"It's been an amazing journey," said Mrs. Jill Nelson. "I'm so impressed by what my husband does and how difficult it is to fly the U-2. It's been so much a part of us. Now that this day is here it's just really bittersweet. Change is always good and we're looking forward to the next half of our life."

"I'll definitely miss the view from 70,000 feet," Major Nelson said. "And, all those who made it possible for me to fly back here on the ground."

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