VG / U-2 Pilot Finds a Way to Get Higher

[HuggyU2]

For you U-2 guys that didn't know, Sooch did his first shot in the Virgin Galactic space ship last week.  
At 170,000', it was still a low altitude test and he doesn't get astronaut wings yet... but it's great to see him finally get into the saddle after 5 years of training.  I guess this makes him the highest flyer within our community.  

Sooch was an '85 commission; came to the U-2 in late '89; U-2 Solo #544; then did the TPS thing and Palmdale U-2 Flight Test, before coming back as the 1 RS commander.  Somewhere in the 90's, I recall him making it into a later round for Space Shuttle selection.  The guy has mad pilot skills, and is brilliant.  

The AF in its infinite wisdom couldn't find a reason to promote him to O-6.  Seems to me that it has worked out better for Sooch, and the AF lost another quality leader before they needed to.

Congratulations to Sooch!!

https://www.space.com/41295-virgin-galactic-reaches-mesosphere-epic-test.html

 

Edited August 5, 2018 by HuggyU2