’Dragon Lady’ deployed to Fairford

After being unserviceable for two days, 80-1083 departed Fairford on August 31 for an 8hr 30min flight over the Baltic as ‘QUID 09’. Rick Ingham FOR THE first time since the mid-1990s, the US Air Force deployed a U-2S reconnaissance aircraft to RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire on August 23. The sensor fit of 80-1083 is notable, comprising an ASARS- 2 nose, Senior Span/ Spur dorsal fairing above the fuselage and Senior Ruby electronic intelligence collection system under the wings. Traditionally, U-2