{"id":27142,"date":"2018-10-05T03:30:26","date_gmt":"2018-10-05T03:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/10\/05\/dont-wait-six-years-apply-to-be-a-u-2-spy-pilot-out-the-gate\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:11:53","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:11:53","slug":"dont-wait-six-years-apply-to-be-a-u-2-spy-pilot-out-the-gate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/2018\/10\/05\/dont-wait-six-years-apply-to-be-a-u-2-spy-pilot-out-the-gate\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t wait six years: Apply to be a U-2 spy pilot out the gate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Trainee pilots will now be able to select the U-2 Dragon Lady<\/a> on their dream sheets, just like any other airframe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previously, the U-2 \u2014 a high-altitude, near-space reconnaissance aircraft<\/a> <\/a>\u2014 was not available to pilots until they had spent a minimum of six years gaining experience outside of the U-2\u2019s reconnaissance mission before submitting an application. And when pilots were selected, it was from the pool of aircraft across the Department of Defense inventory<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But modernization of the U-2 airframe, mission, pilot acquisition and development are forcing the Air Force to look for other ways to groom spy pilots earlier in their careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe well-established path to the U-2 has proven effective for over 60 years,\u201d said Lt. Col. Carl Maymi, commander of the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron out of Beale Air Force Base<\/a>, California, in a press release<\/a>. \u201cHowever, we need access to young, talented officers earlier in their careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I believe we can do this while still maintaining the integrity of our selection process through the U-2 FACT program,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new selection process will kick off with an experimental initiative this fall called the U-2 First Assignment Companion Trainer, or FACT, program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through FACT, the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron<\/a> will broaden its scope of eligible crew by giving Air Force student pilots in undergraduate pilot training the opportunity to enter a direct pipeline to fly the U-2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every undergraduate pilot training student from Air Education and Training Command\u2019s flying training locations, during the designated assignment window, is eligible for the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first FACT selectee is planned for the fall 2018 assignment cycle and the next selection will happen about six months later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After being selected for the FACT program, students will attend the T-38 Pilot Instructor Training Course at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, before permanently moving to Beale AFB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane takes off on the runway at the Osan U.S. Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Aug. 21, 2017. (Lee Sang-hack\/Yonhap via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For the next two years, the selectee will serve as a T-38 Talon instructor pilot for the U-2 Companion Trainer Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTaking on the task of developing a small portion of our future recce leaders from the onset of his or her aviation career is something we\u2019re extremely excited about,\u201d Maymi said. \u201cU-2 FACT pilots will have an opportunity to learn from highly qualified and experienced pilots while in turn teaching them to fly T-38s in Northern California. I expect rapid maturation as an aviator and officer for all who get this unique opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After selectees gain enough experience as a T-38 instructor, they undergo the standard two-week U-2 interview process and, if hired, begin qualification training on the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first two UPT students enter the program, the FACT assignment process will be reassessed to determine its sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One benefit to the new selection process could be more time for U-2 pilots to develop professionally in the career field.<\/p>\n\n\n\t