U2 in Cyprus?
 

Does anyone know if there is or recently a twin seater U-2 in Cyprus?.

Didn't know that Bono was on tour and or that he had a twin........................

looking for some training?:)

took the words right out of my mouth lol hang on bigger news...hos cousin is actually his half bro

https://www.nme.com/news/music/u2-bo...e-knew-3335524

lol

Around 3/4 decades ago there was a twin stick at RAf Alconbury...

https://www.airliners.net/photo/USA-...xHF8AZs7NWk%3D

and one which was used as a BDA

cheers

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....346fc4c5b.jpeg

It was a weather balloon :E

That gets airborne at exactly the same time every day:)

He still hasn't found what he's looking for?

Sounds a tad unlikely.

I predicted all the replies:=. Seriously though a serving military friend has said he's had a jolly in the 2 seater. Now he's not one for elaborating their tales, but I just can't stop thinking nope.

Not sure its the sort of thing you have a jolly in, they wear space suits to operate it, not something their SES section probably has spares for pax for.:)

I though you had to be James May to cab a U2/

Always knew i was late for work if i heard it take off.

Did anyone predict the question?

Seriously, if he is a friend and not known for telling tales then why are you posting on the internet in an effort to discredit him?

As an aside, incentive flight does not equal spacesuits and extreme altitudes - that requires dedicated training and certification that takes quite a while. Normal flight gear with altitude restrictions are the norm for the (exceptionally?) rare incentive flights on the U-2. The same limitations apply to interview flights for prospective U-2 pilots.

Buy him another beer and keep nodding.

Or Adam Savage from Mythbusters.

Are you absolutely certain he said he was in the aircraft itself?

Could he possibly have said he had a ride along? The talk down pilots who drive the chase car that helps the U2 to land safely regularly offer the opportunity for those based there to ride along with them.

Awesome experience it is too!

The place for predictions is upfront ................. my stock in trade for 41 years.
Engage brain, engage mouth, predict, pray.
Dodge incoming.
Repeat.

The U-2D (two seater) used for IR detection?


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....2ce76d1265.jpg

I was usually walking across to the mess at about 7 am Cyprus time.

No, all the earlier two-seaters have been retired.

The only two-seat U-2's now flying are the four (originally five) TU-2S's, formerly the TR-1B.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....9893bf18b5.jpg

80-1065 | Lockheed TU-2S | United States - US Air Force (USAF) | GFB | JetPhotos

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.