As the U.S. Air Force’s U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane nears the end of its service, rare opportunities to learn about its fascinating operations and the incredible gear used by its pilots are becoming more sought after. In a recent report, civilian photographer Blair Bunting shared his amazing experience of flying in the U-2, bringing back stunning images from over 70,000 feet. But this time, Bunting’s story focuses not on the flight itself but on the detailed preparations required before he even stepped into the cockpit—specifically, the life-support suit that pilots rely on to survive at extreme altitudes.
The U-2 pilots are known for wearing a specialized “spacesuit,” or full-pressure suit, which is vital to their survival at over 60,000 feet, where the air is so thin that even a slight loss of cabin pressure could be fatal. Bunting’s adventure began months before the flight, at Beale Air Force Base, where he went through extensive training and testing to get used to the suit and all its complex systems.
Bunting remembers his first experience at Beale: “I was required to wear the suit and sit for over an hour, learning how to drink, eat, and even what to do when I needed to use the bathroom,” he said. It might sound like a simple task, but the spacesuit is anything but ordinary. Made of three layers of special material, the suit weighs about 90 pounds and is designed to keep pilots alive in the harshest conditions. Each pilot gets two custom-fit suits, and each one costs around $125,000.
The suit is not just about looking cool or futuristic—it is a life-saving necessity. If something goes wrong in the U-2 at high altitudes, the suit inflates to keep the pilot alive by maintaining a safe atmosphere. Staff Sergeant Craig Hawley, who works with U-2 pilots at Beale, explained that if the plane’s cabin pressure fails, the suit will automatically inflate to a safe level, and if that system fails, there’s a backup system. The goal is to give the pilot a fighting chance against the extreme dangers of flying at 63,000 feet, where human blood would boil from lack of oxygen.
One of the most critical moments in Bunting’s preparation was when he sat in a pressure chamber, breathing pure oxygen to prepare his body for the altitude. This process is necessary because at high altitudes, the nitrogen in a person’s blood can cause severe health problems, like decompression sickness. By breathing 100% oxygen for an hour before the flight, the pilots reduce the risk of this dangerous condition.
Blair Bunting’s experience didn’t just involve learning how to use the suit—he also witnessed the incredible teamwork that goes into preparing a U-2 pilot for a mission. The process of putting on the suit is intense and requires a team of about 20 people. They help Bunting get into the suit, which involves steps like inserting a catheter (for long flights), securing the gloves, and making sure everything fits perfectly.
The preparation doesn’t end there. After donning the spacesuit, Bunting was driven to the runway in a van called the “bread van,” still connected to an oxygen supply. The final stage before taking off was the walk to the plane itself, where ground crews were already preparing the U-2 for its flight. This is a moment Bunting will never forget.
Throughout his journey, Bunting was amazed at the complexity and the life-or-death nature of the U-2 mission. “It was terrifying, but also inspiring,” he said, reflecting on how the support team worked together to ensure his survival. This process of preparing for a flight in a U-2 is a reminder of how dangerous and demanding these high-altitude reconnaissance missions are.
Now that the U-2 Dragon Lady is nearing retirement, such rare experiences are becoming even more valuable. Bunting’s detailed photo series and account pay tribute to the incredible people who keep the U-2 flying, and the extraordinary technology that makes such daring flights possible.
