TAPS
RIP Major Dively
Posted on 06/21/2005 9:40:49 PM PDT by kristinn
WASHINGTON, June 21 - A U-2 spy plane crashed Tuesday night in Southwest Asia, the Defense Department announced, specifying an area where American aircraft support missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The crash is the first of a U-2 in that region. Military officials who have been briefed on the crash said early indications were that the plane crashed on landing at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, its home base. The were no indications of hostile fire, they said.
The cause of the crash and status of the pilot are not known, the Pentagon said.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
None of the planes are on the tarmac now. They are all in the SAC museum on I-80 southwest of Omaha, NE. And, yes the SR-71 is in the collection.
Thanks for that information. Nice to know.
The AF recommissioned 3 Blackbirds a couple of years after retiring them. Makes me think the Aurora was made, it wasn't satisfactory, and they went back to the Blackbirds for a little while until they fixed the Aurora.
Of course, it could all be disinformation.
Very good point. Quite feasable
Less than 7 mos ago this plane went down in the UAE killing Duane Dively.
Today I began salvaging the payload on that aircraft, and as I dismantled the wrecked equipment and the desert sands of the Middle East ran thru my fingers I was reminded of the great sacrifice men like Maj Dively make for this country.
He was scheduled to retire in less than a month and had spent a career risking his like by flying the dragonlady U2 on her specialized missions.
I ask that we all take a moment to remember the sacrifices that all of our Brave men and women make not just in wartime, but as a matter of course on a daily basis.
Interesting job you have there. God bless his family, and all those who serve and protect us.
While I did not know him I know folks who did and they say he was a fine man. God bless them all.
I am saving some of that sand as a reminder
We retired the sr-71 blackbirds.
But imagine the sr-71 with the latest in engine improvements.
It is said the pilots never had the blackbirds at full throttle.
But, back to the subject, it is no surprise one of the U-2's crashed on landing.
A slight crosswind and.....splat.
When landing, two cowboys riding in the back of El Caminos must catch up with the landing plane's wingtips and attach landing wheels just prior to touchdown.
Any mistakes and .... splat...splat....splat.
But satellites cannot move undetected at precise times to get certain footage.
Prayers for his family, my.
RIP Major Dively
God bless them
I had to share, Just touching the wreckage really reminded me of the cost
I can just imagine the emotions. Thanks for the post. A most timely reminder.
I can only imagine. What a tangible connection. *HUGS!*
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