HuggyU2 Posted June 8 Share Posted June 8 (edited) One of the greatest has flown West. Maj Gen Pat Halloran was 95. He had 100 combat missions in the F-84 before being selected for the highly-secretive U-2 Program in the 1957 time frame. Pat went on to be one of only 18 pilots to check out in both the U-2 and SR-71. After retirement, be remained involved in flying experimental aircraft and homebuilts, including some very exotic replica aircraft from the Tom Wathen Collection, like the De Havilland Comet. He was a regular at Oshkosh. Just a fantastic guy and incredible pilot. A toast to the General... Edited June 8 by HuggyU2 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biff_T Posted June 9 Share Posted June 9 🍺 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Springer Posted June 10 Share Posted June 10 On 6/8/2024 at 10:17 AM, HuggyU2 said: One of the greatest has flown West. Maj Gen Pat Halloran was 95. He had 100 combat missions in the F-84 before being selected for the highly-secretive U-2 Program in the 1957 time frame. Pat went on to be one of only 18 pilots to check out in both the U-2 and SR-71. After retirement, be remained involved in flying experimental aircraft and homebuilts, including some very exotic replica aircraft from the Tom Wathen Collection, like the De Havilland Comet. He was a regular at Oshkosh. Just a fantastic guy and incredible pilot. A toast to the General... Thanks Huggy, this is really sad news. I had never heard of him until a few years ago when I ran into him of all places, on a bike trail in Tucson. Saw a guy with a U-2/SR-71 on his cap and stop to chat with him for about 20 minutes. Knew some people I knew, (Ed Yeilding) and he remembered you when I brought your name up. I believe he owned a Lancair 320 and had a recent automobile? accident. Sadly he will be missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuggyU2 Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 Yes, he was very active until getting hit by the car as a pedestrian. He was at our reunion less than 2 years ago. He was pretty charismatic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuggyU2 Posted August 1 Share Posted August 1 (edited) Today is 1 August... On this date in 1955, Tony LeVier went for a taxi test on Groom Lake in a new Lockheed aircraft that had yet to be flown. However, the aircraft had different plans, and before he knew it, Tony was airborne in what was the unplanned 1st flight of the U-2. So today, the pressure-breathing, pressure-suited prima donnas celebrate 69 years above 69,000 feet. And tomorrow, over 25% of all living U-2 pilots on the planet will gather for an exceptional Homecoming to celebrate the solo flights of what could be the last class of U-2 trainees. Hail Dragons Edited August 1 by HuggyU2 13 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilyelliott4 Posted August 9 Share Posted August 9 On 4/23/2024 at 6:23 AM, HuggyU2 said: Taiwanese U-2 pilot Johnny Shen died last Thursday, age 92 He was a U-2 pilot with The Black Cat Squadron on Taiwan from 1968 to 1973. He was admitted to the CAF Academy in January 1952, then trained in the PT-17 and the T-6. After his graduation in December 1955, he was assigned to the 4th Tactical Fighter Group in Chiayi. He was first sent to Tainan to be trained on the T-33, then returning to Chiayi to fly the F-84 in 1956. Later he converted to the F-100. He left the 35th Sq in 1973 and became the vice military attache in Vietnam. After the loss of Vietnam, he returned to Taiwan to served on several desk jobs. He retired from the CAF as a Colonel in 1977 and joined China Airlines, where he flew the Boeing 707, 727, 767, and 747, and Airbus A-300. He transferred to EVA Airlines in 1992. Then he returned served in Taiwan's Civil Aviation Administration until 1998. After retirement, he emigrated to Canada and lived in Vancouver. These guys flew some really risky missions. Him him... Taiwanese U-2 pilot Johnny Shen passed away at 92. He served with the Black Cat Squadron from 1968-1973, flying high-risk missions. After retiring as a Colonel in 1977, he joined China Airlines, later transferring to EVA Airlines. His graduation gift was a dedicated military career, where he made significant contributions to aviation. He eventually moved to Vancouver, Canada, where he spent his retirement. Shen's legacy as a daring pilot will be remembered. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuggyU2 Posted August 20 Share Posted August 20 (edited) Possible extension of U-2 operations, according to noted British journalist Chris Pocock. Things are getting interesting, assuming he is somewhat accurate. https://dragonladytoday.com/2024/08/17/keep-the-u-2-by-downsizing-the-operation/ Edited August 20 by HuggyU2 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bs98 Posted August 22 Share Posted August 22 On 8/20/2024 at 4:57 PM, HuggyU2 said: Possible extension of U-2 operations, according to noted British journalist Chris Pocock. Things are getting interesting, assuming he is somewhat accurate. https://dragonladytoday.com/2024/08/17/keep-the-u-2-by-downsizing-the-operation/ It's enough to give a man hope! How long is/was that transition from heavy to T38 course, anyway? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceman Posted August 22 Share Posted August 22 It's enough to give a man hope! How long is/was that transition from heavy to T38 course, anyway? 18 sorties... Typically a little over a monthSent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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