As the U2 starts to stop I would put one wing on the ground. Remember the skid plates I told you about on the end of each wing. They are made of titanium so the U2 would not get damaged at this point. Once stopped the ground crew is waiting to put the pogos back on so I can taxi the U2 back to the hanger. The mobile officer is at my side all the time. Without a mobile officer a U2 pilot would have a serious problem. We all have our turn being one so we know the importance of the job. Once in the hanger the trained team helps the pilot out of the cockpit. After the pilot is out of the pressure suit a debriefing is held regarding equipment, operations & intelligence. After a U2 mission a pilot must take the first 24 hours of to recuperate from a physical demanding mission. You are not allowed to fly another U2 mission for at least 48 hours.

Some of the U2 qualifications: You must have at least 1500 hours of flying time. 900 as first pilot. Experience in at least two or three aircraft. Have an outstanding record & a wing commanders recommendation. Maybe then you might get an interview. The best pilots are recruited.

You go to Beale A.F.B. in Ca. for a two week interview, a flight physical & three flight evaluations in the U2 an aircraft you have never flown before. The U2 is a single seat aircraft but for training purposes they do have a two seat aircraft. You must land three ways, No-Flap, No-Voice & Normally. If you can do these landings you may I repeat MAY get selected. Also you have to get interviewed by the Wing Commander, Squadron Commander & OPS officer. My time was in 1955. 18 applied for U2 & 6 of us were selected.

After reading this an attorney friend of mine Doug Fox asked me why in the world would anyone want to fly a U2. At that moment I really had to think about it but in my heart I knew. For God & Country & not everyone could do it. It was SPECIAL.

By the way, Francis Gary powers in 1960 was the first U2 pilot downed over the USSR & captured. Not the first shot down. He was not shot down by a S.A.M. (surface to air missile), his claim was the U2 stalled and slid down backwards.

The first U2 pilot shot down over the U.S.S.R. was a friend of mine.
He was able to make it to friendly territory before ejecting.
Francis Gary Powers was after my time but
my friend jack & I went thru U2 school togeher.

I call the U-2's the silent ones.
I made 6 flights over the U.S.S.R.
Would I do it again?
Need you ask. Yes I would.

I have very fond memories of the U-2.
Respectfully
(Major) Francis E. Hogan