A U-2 Dragon Lady conducts a training sortie above Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Jan. 21, 2014. The Dragon Lady flies at altitudes more than 70,000 ft. and has a wingspan of 105 ft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bobby Cummings/Released)
A U-2 Dragon Lady soars above the flightline at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Jan. 22, 2014. The low-altitude handling characteristics of the aircraft and bicycle-type landing gear require precise control during landing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bobby Cummings/Released)
A mobile chase car pursues a TU-2S Dragon Lady at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Jan. 22, 2014. Mobile chase cars accelerate to speeds more than 100 mph to guide the aircraft during takeoffs and landings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bobby Cummings/Released)
U-2 pilots prepare to land a TU-2S Dragon Lady at sunset on Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Jan. 22, 2014. TU-2S are trainer aircraft used to gain proficiency before pilots deploy for operational missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bobby Cummings/Released)
A TU-2S Dragon Lady glistens in the sun as it prepares to land on the flightline at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Jan. 17, 2014. TU-2S are trainer aircraft used to gain proficiency before pilots deploy for operational missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bobby Cummings/Released)
A Chevrolet Camaro SS sits in front of a U-2 Dragon Lady at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Chase cars are used to help the Dragon Lady land safely. (Courtesy photo by Brain Vance of Motor Trend Magazine)
An MC-12W Liberty makes its final approach at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Jan. 22, 2014. The Liberty’s primary mission is to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, support directly to ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bobby Cummings/Released)
The island of the carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) looms over an S-3B Viking of Air Antisubmarine Squadron (VS) 31 positioned on an aircraft elevator on board the ship during operations at sea in January 1990, twenty-four years ago.
A P5M-2S Marlin of Patrol Squadron (VP) 49 pictured in a starboard bank over the Atlantic Ocean while flying from Naval Station Bermuda in February 1962, fifty-two years ago this month.