I would have thought that unless the U-2 features in your immediate perceived career-path, or your status as a passenger can be exploited by USAF, you are more likely to get a ride-along on the Space Shuttle.

I watched one disappear from sight, sitting on my MQ balcony at Akrotiri one Sunday afternoon, with high AoB and lots of nose down - I waited for the bang, ready to pick up the phone but it staggered back above the horizon with absolute max power applied (louder than normal take off by quite a way).

Turns out new pilot doing circuit consolidation had managed to stall it flying past his visiting girlfriend sunbathing on the Southern cliffs.

He went home the next day.

And the girlfriend?

The Reds new PR manager lol

cheers

Possibly being utilised to monitor Sudan to assist with evacuations.

Who, the pilot's girlfriend?:E

Somewhere deep in the archives, probably about 2017, is a thread about the U2 in Cyprus. Basically, it was never there, since a lot of us had "never seen it" :ok:

https://www.pprune.org/military-avia...krotiri-2.html

Complete with lots of oh-so-funny comments about weather balloons....

Nor has it ever been visible on Google Earth! :p

Sadly, from a humour point of view, the pretence was dropped (again) last year on the UK side.

Kenny MacAskill, Alba (Written Question 07 November 2023)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any US military equipment is located on the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia.

James Heappey, Minister of State MOD (Answered 16 November 2022)
The USAF U2 aircraft has been permanently stationed at RAF Akrotiri since 1974 in support of middle east peacekeeping arrangements. It operates with the knowledge of all Governments directly involved.

According to the US DoD Defense Manpower Data Center there were only 12 US military personnel deployed to Cyprus in December 2022 no data Army, 10 Marine Corps, 1 Navy and 1 Air Force/Space Force - all I can say is he/she/they must be very busy.

(Updated)
Heappey was clearly quoting Archie Hamilton according to post #74 of the old U2 thread

RAF Akrotiri

HC Deb 15 June 1990 vol 174 c380W
Mr. Redmond
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by year for the last 10 years to date, the number of times the United States U2 spy aircraft has used the facilities of RAF Akrotiri; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton
The USAF U2 aircraft has been permanently stationed at RAF Akrotiri since 1974 in support of middle east peacekeeping arrangements. It operates with the knowledge of all Governments directly involved.


Anyway the OP's friend has clearly blown any chance of being recruited for Operation Youngster :E

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....453f572832.jpg
No, never seen it at all...............

Was certainly not on the update

https://earth.google.com/web/search/...r8h9IchFvdO5b8

cheers

If you have Google Earth Pro, a few U2's are visible on the ramp around 2011-2015.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....6e20a6cbdb.jpg

I see one … looking for the Stealth one … 😎

It's the camera ship.

One supposes that there may also be something else that is never there as well.

The other "interesting" thread is" "Unknown" aircraft at Akrotiri". Worth a look, even if just for a laugh.

Ah the blue and grey S-61N / T embassy messengers (dont shoot the messenger lol)

cheers

At least they made a refreshing change from the underpowered, overburdened, shagged out Avro Yorks c. 1962, straining every horsepower to get airborne at 1500 local, with the Alps as the next great adventure.
I used to climb the ATC outside steps to watch, as they tried to fly on the forecast are had made and signed.
I seem to remember there was a big drop at the western end of the runway, and the Yorks disappeared for quite a while [seemingly], but they all eventually hove into view so that I could resume breathing.

it's smaller than I thought.