SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Major Thomas Ryan, 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, mission pilot, is suited up to be pressurized by Staff Sgt. Mark Reith and Senior Airman David Sivixay, 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, Physiological Support Division, prior to his 2000 hour flight at the helm of a U-2 Dragonlady, Jan. 9. Maj. Ryan is the 25th pilot to reach the 2000 hour milestone. All three members are from the 9th Reconnaissance Squadron, Beale AFB, Calif. Maj. Ryan is from Sneads Ferry, N.C., Sergeant Reith is from Flint, Mich. And Airman Sivixay is from San Diego, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian J. Ellis)(Released)
SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Major Thomas Ryan, 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, mission pilot, adjusts in the cockpit before take-off on his 2000 hour flight at the helm of a U-2 Dragonlady, Jan. 9. Maj. Ryan is the 25th pilot to reach the 2000 hour milestone. Maj. Ryan is deployed to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing from the 9th Reconnaissance Squadron, Beale AFB, Calif. and hails from Sneads Ferry, N.C. Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian J. Ellis)(Released)
SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Major Thomas Ryan, 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, mission pilot, receives his final salute as he taxies out prior to his 2000 hour flight at the helm of a U-2 Dragonlady, Jan. 9. Maj. Ryan is the 25th pilot to reach the 2000 hour milestone. Maj. Ryan is deployed to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing from the 9th Reconnaissance Squadron, Beale AFB, Calif. and hails from Sneads Ferry, N.C. Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian J. Ellis)(Released)
SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Major Thomas Ryan, 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, mission pilot, takes off for his 2000 hour flight at the helm of a U-2 Dragonlady, Jan. 9. Maj. Ryan is the 25th pilot to reach the 2000 hour milestone. Maj. Ryan is deployed to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing from the 9th Reconnaissance Squadron, Beale AFB, Calif. and hails from Sneads Ferry, N.C. Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian J. Ellis)(Released)
SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Lt. Col. Vincent Catich, 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, commander, tacks a 2000 hour patch onto Major Thomas Ryan, 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, mission pilot, Jan. 9. Maj. Ryan was met by leadership and fellow 99th ERS personnel to congratulate him on becoming the 25th pilot to reach the 2000 hour milestone behind the helm of a U-2 Dragonlady. Maj. Ryan is deployed to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing from the 9th Reconnaissance Squadron, Beale AFB, Calif. and hails from Sneads Ferry, N.C. Calif. Lt. Col. Catich is from Aurora, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian J. Ellis)(Released)
by Staff Sgt. Mike Andriacco
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
1/12/2009 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Maj. Thomas Ryan of the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron here has just reached 2,000 flying hours, a rare milestone in the career of a U-2 Dragon Lady pilot.
The 99th ERS mission pilot is only the 25th U-2 pilot in history to reach that mark, with more than 1,000 of those hours in direct support of combat operations.
Major Ryan returned from his flight looking a little flushed, but happy.
"After that last flight, my bum hurts, my back is sore, I feel tired and fatigued," he said. "But I feel great!"
The achievement marks a major step in his storied Air Force career, which began in 2001 after a 12-year stint in the U.S. Coast Guard. Since then, Major Ryan has deployed 14 times in support of current operations and also served a one-year remote tour. Ten of those deployments have been to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing and he will return at least once more before retiring.
Major Ryan is also the only U-2 pilot to make the transition from the Coast Guard. With his addition, there is now a U-2 pilot from every branch of the U.S. military in service at this time.
A reception committee greeted Major Ryan after his 10-hour flight. The group included the maintenance support personnel as well has his squadron and wing leaders.
Brig. Gen. H.D. Polumbo, Jr., commander of the 380th AEW, noted the personal and professional significance of his accomplishment.
"When you have an officer who has flown as long as Maj. Ryan has in the U-2, it gives me plenty of confidence to report back to the Combined Forces Air Component Commander that we can do the tough missions" said General Polumbo.
Not only does that experience have operational value here, Major Ryan uses his experience to mentor new pilots at his home station of Beale Air Force Base, Calif., as an instructor pilot.
"He's provided me with some tips that I've incorporated into my skill set, improving my understanding of the jet and enhancing my ability to continue flying the U-2 in a combat environment," said General Polumbo.
A U-2 pilot's mission typically involves flying to approximately 70,000 feet while wearing a full pressure suit, much like an astronaut. The missions are typically in excess of 9 hours long and are used to gather intelligence information essential to wartime operations.
In light of all this, achieving the 2,000 flying-hour mark takes not only dedication and focus, but great discipline, judgment, and stamina, said General Polumbo.
In light of technological improvements to the U-2 systems and the speed at which imagery can be sent to analysts, the aircraft has seen an increase in sorties at deployed locations. This requires the pilots to log more hours to support the mission.
"I couldn't be more proud of Tom," said Lt. Col. Vincent Catich, the 99th ERS commander. "He flies for 10 hours a day every four days. That is absolutely incredible. He is a true asset and American hero."
Reaching such a career milestone can mean much more when it is in support of combat missions in the operational theater while surrounded by fellow Airmen, all working toward the same mission.
"When you see him around, go ahead and shake his hand and congratulate him," said General Polumbo.
