One of the AFTAC guys with whom we worked at Patrick AFB was an ex-U-2 pilot and still had strong connections with the resident Det at Patrick. So a chum and I were invited to look around the jet in the hangar. The next day we were invited back at dawn to watch the pre-flight prep for the pilot, then out to watch the crew-in and taxi out from the mobile chase car driven by our ex-U-2 pilot host.
Crew-in was very quick; as soon as the pilot was happy with the jet we watched for a light on the corner of the hangar to show green, then off we went following the jet.
On reaching the RW, we did a quick last chance FOD check in the chase car, then came back and turned round to sit just off the wing where the pilot could see us. A thumbs-up from the chase driver, the U-2 went to max chat and we set off down the RW to see it airborne. Then we picked up the pogos and drove back to the Det before going for breakfast with our host and his wife.
An excellent visit!