USAF history

Record‑Setting 70th Anniversary U‑2 Flight

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U.S. Air Force members of the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 1st Reconnaissance Squadron (RS) prepare a 9th Reconnaissance Wing TU-2S Dragon Lady piloted by Cory “ULTRALORD” Bartholomew, 1st RS assigned flight safety officer and U-2 instructor pilot, and Lt. Col. “JETHRO”, 1st RS instructor pilot and U-2 chief pilot, at Beale Air Force Base (AFB), California, Aug. 1st, 2025. “ULTRALORD” and “JETHRO”’s flight took place on the 70th anniversary of the U-2’s first flight and broke the endurance records for the U-2, flying longer than 14 hours and traveled over 6,000 nautical miles. This flight tested the capabilities of the U-2 and its pilots to its limit and showcased Beale AFB’s capacity as a power projection platform to rapidly respond to adversary actions anywhere in the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Frederick A. Brown)

On July 31, 2025, in a bold tribute to the U‑2 Dragon Lady’s accidental maiden flight nearly 70 years earlier, a TU‑2S from Beale AFB’s 9th Reconnaissance Wing embarked on a historic mission—co‑piloted by Cory “ULTRALORD” Bartholomew and Lt. Col. “JETHRO.” From its takeoff through a nonstop journey across all 48 contiguous U.S. states, this iconic high-altitude spy plane flew for over 14 hours, covering more than 6,000 nautical miles—a new endurance record for its class.

This mission, conducted exactly seven decades after the U‑2 first took to the skies, was more than just a record—it demonstrated the enduring capabilities of this Cold War-era platform in modern operations. According to the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron commander, “the character of war is changing, but our extreme ownership of our mission… will never change.”

The flight also highlighted Beale AFB’s readiness and resolve, showcasing its role as a power-projection hub that can respond quickly and effectively to emerging threats anywhere in the world.

The full story is packed with rich details—background on the planning, pilot profiles, mission logistics, and more insights into this one-of-a-kind flight. Read the complete article here to explore how this mission unfolded and what it means for the future of Air Force reconnaissance:

Beale AFB conducts historic U‑2 Dragon Lady flight, 11 years in the making — AF.mil
https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4263709/beale-afb-conducts-historic-u-2-dragon-lady-flight-11-years-in-the-making/

Johnny Cash was a “Ditty Bopper”

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Johnny Cash is pictured in his Air Force uniform in the early 1950s.

Before he was the Man in Black, Johnny Cash wore Air Force blue. In 1950, at just 18, Cash enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, eventually serving as a Morse code operator—known as a “ditty bopper”—in the 12th Radio Squadron Mobile, stationed at Landsberg, West Germany.

His assignment? Intercepting Soviet transmissions and decoding them. It was during this duty on March 5, 1953, that Airman Johnny Cash became the first American to learn that Soviet leader Joseph Stalin had died, picking it up over his headphones in dots and dashes before the world knew. Not a bad claim to fame before your first gold record.

Cash later said the Air Force shaped him: the discipline, the long stretches of quiet time with a guitar, and the stories he carried home. It is a reminder that many who shape American culture first served in quiet, often unseen roles, supporting the mission of freedom in the tense days of the Cold War.

The next time you hear “I Walk the Line,” remember Johnny Cash walked a different line first, wearing his Air Force uniform, tuning into the world one dot and dash at a time. Read the DoD story April 17 2025 here… https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/4157671/singer-johnny-cash-served-in-the-air-force-during-the-cold-war/

Freedom, Air Power, and Palm Springs: A 4th of July Reflection

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This Independence Day, while we gather with family and friends, it’s worth remembering that Palm Springs played a direct role in defending freedom in the air.

In 1941, as the world plunged into war, the War Department certified improvements to Palm Springs’ small municipal airport, transforming it into the Palm Springs Army Air Field. The clear skies and proximity to March Field and Los Angeles made it ideal for emergency landings and training missions. By early 1942, a new, larger airfield was completed, becoming a staging field for the Air Corps Ferrying Command. Crews trained here, aircraft were serviced here, and the skies above the Coachella Valley filled with the sounds of engines working to secure freedom far from home.

Personnel lodged at the nearby La Paz Guest Ranch, and Western Airlines landed daily under a government license, showing the intersection of military preparation and civilian life that helped sustain the war effort. By the war’s end, over 1,600 acres were used for runways, taxiways, hangars, barracks, and the infrastructure necessary to support Airmen on their missions.

When you see the fireworks this July 4th, remember that the freedom they celebrate was, and still is, safeguarded in part by the airpower that took off and landed here in Palm Springs.

The Air & Space Forces Association Palm Springs Chapter continues that legacy of service, community, and education, supporting today’s Airmen and preserving the stories of those who came before.

Happy Independence Day!