Hook‘Em Up, Get‘Em High: The vital role of 9th PSPTS in high-altitude ISR

Airman 1st Class Gangyoung Seo, 9th Physiological Support Squadron (PSPTS) launch and recovery technician, communicates to Capt. Robert, 1st Reconnaissance Squadron U-2 Dragon Lady pilot, preparing to conduct a training mission Dec. 19, 2017, at Beale Air Force Base, California. Seo and the team in the Launch and Recovery Element are responsible for dressing a pilot in the full-pressure suit and ensuring systems are fully functional to sustain altitudes up to 70,000 feet. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Ramon A. Adelan)

Hook‘Em Up, Get‘Em High: The vital role of 9th PSPTS in high-altitude ISR

Senior Airman Anthony Kelly (right) and Airman 1st Class Gangyoung Seo, 9th Physiological Support Squadron (PSPTS) launch and recovery technicians, suit Capt. Robert, 1st Reconnaissance Squadron U-2 Dragon Lady pilot, Dec. 19, 2017, at Beale Air Force Base, California. The 9th PSPTS Launch and Recovery Element provides specialized support to U-2 pilots ensuring their full-pressure suit and life support systems are fully functional to sustain at altitudes up to 70,000 feet. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Ramon A. Adelan)

Hook‘Em Up, Get‘Em High: The vital role of 9th PSPTS in high-altitude ISR

Capt. Robert (middle), 1st Reconnaissance Squadron U-2 Dragon Lady pilot, prepares for a flight with the assistance of the 9th Physiological Support Squadron Launch and Recovery Element Dec. 19, 2017, at Beale Air Force Base, California. U-2 pilots utilize a full-pressure suit to enable them to withstand altitudes up to 70,000 feet. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Ramon A. Adelan)

Hook‘Em Up, Get‘Em High: The vital role of 9th PSPTS in high-altitude ISR

Master Sgt. Jeremy Nowak, 9th Physiological Support Squadron launch and recovery non-commissioned officer in charge, rechecks the functions of a full-pressure suit Dec. 19, 2017, at Beale Air Force Base, California. The Launch and Recovery Element conducts multiple checks of a full-pressure suit before flight, which begin the day prior and are redone when a pilot gets dressed and enters an aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Ramon A. Adelan)

Hook‘Em Up, Get‘Em High: The vital role of 9th PSPTS in high-altitude ISR

Capt. Robert (left), 1st Reconnaissance Squadron U-2 Dragon Lady pilot, walks toward an aircraft to prepare for takeoff with the assistance from Airman 1st Class Gangyoung Seo, 9th Physiological Support Squadron (PSPTS) launch and recovery technician, Dec. 19, 2017, at Beale Air Force Base, California. Seo and the members of the Launch and Recovery Element are responsible for preparing a pilot for flight and ensure the full-pressure suit and life support systems are fully functional to sustain altitudes up to 70,000 feet. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Ramon A. Adelan)

Hook‘Em Up, Get‘Em High: The vital role of 9th PSPTS in high-altitude ISR

Airman 1st Class Gangyoung Seo, 9th Physiological Support Squadron (PSPTS) launch and recovery technician, assists a U-2 Dragon Lady pilot, connecting him to the systems in an aircraft Dec. 19, 2017, at Beale Air Force Base, California. Due to the limited movement in the suit, pilots are assisted by 9th PSPTS technicians to suit up and enter and exit an aircraft. The technicians also ensure the full-pressure suit and life support systems are fully functional to sustain altitudes up to 70,000 feet. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Ramon A. Adelan)

Hook‘Em Up, Get‘Em High: The vital role of 9th PSPTS in high-altitude ISR

A U-2 Dragon Lady chase car driver watches members from the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepare an aircraft for takeoff Dec. 19, 2017, at Beale Air Force Base, California. Due to a limited range of view, the chase car driver’s job is to communicate and assist the pilot as they take off and land. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Ramon A. Adelan)

Hook‘Em Up, Get‘Em High: The vital role of 9th PSPTS in high-altitude ISR

A U-2 Dragon Lady takes off as a chase car driver watches the successful launch Dec. 19, 2017, at Beale Air Force Base, California. Due to a limited range of view, the chase car driver’s job is to communicate and assist the pilot as they take off and land. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Ramon A. Adelan)

Hook‘Em Up, Get‘Em High: The vital role of 9th PSPTS in high-altitude ISR

Published Dec. 21, 2017
By Senior Airman Ramon A. Adelan
9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs