In terms of combat experience, the U-2 has been continuously deployed in nearly every major conflict involving U.S. and allied forces since its inception.
From providing critical overflight data during the Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam War to conducting surveillance missions over Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria, the Dragon Lady has been a constant presence in the intelligence community.
In Operation Desert Storm, it delivered crucial battlefield imagery and signal intercepts that shaped coalition air campaign planning.
During Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve, it performed extended surveillance missions to detect insurgent movements, monitor enemy logistics, and locate key targets for precision airstrikes.
It has also played a crucial role in Korean Peninsula operations, performing strategic ISR flights near North Korean airspace to monitor military developments and missile activity.
- While satellite surveillance and unmanned aerial systems have taken on many ISR roles, none match the Dragon Lady's combination of altitude, flexibility, rapid re-tasking, and real-time data delivery.
- Its ability to operate in airspace where satellites may be blinded or destroyed, and where drones may be jammed or intercepted, ensures that the U-2 remains a mission-critical platform in scenarios where assurance of information superiority is paramount.
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