#1828 5th RS, U-2S Dragon Lady print
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1828 - 80-1096, U-2S Dragon Lady, 5th Reconnaissance Squadron, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.
On 14 December 1960, Detachment H was created in Taiwan, under the nickname “Black Cat,” before later relocating to Thailand. In February 1976, personnel from the 100th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (SRW) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona and the 99th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron at Detachment H, U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand deployed to Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, to establish a 90-day test program, given the unclassified nickname, “Operating Location (OL)-BLACKCAT.” Members of the OL continued the legacy of the “Blackcat” name and adopted a black cat mascot named Oscar. Today, Oscar V carries the mantle of mascot duties. In September 1976, the 100 SRW inactivated and “OL-BLACKCAT” officially became Detachment 2 of the 9 SRW, Beale Air Force Base, California. Finally, on 1 October 1994, Detachment 2 was inactivated and the unit was reborn as the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron (5 RS). There are over 200 men and women assigned to the 5 RS, including a large number of civilian contractors serving as support specialists. Since 1976, the Blackcats have flown over 17,500 operational sorties, utilizing an integrated suite of all-weather and multi-spectral sensors. The 5 RS maintained and flew the U-2R from 1976 to 1994, later becoming the first unit to employ the new U-2S on operational reconnaissance sorties, introducing the upgraded sensors to the Korean theater. In June 2006, the Block 20 U-2S aircraft, joined the fray, representing the world’s leading edge of manned high-altitude reconnaissance capability. In addition to conducting intelligence gathering missions, the unit has flown numerous humanitarian sorties throughout the Pacific theater. In 1995, the Blackcats were recognized as the best Reconnaissance Squadron in the Air Force and received the Lockheed Advanced Development Corporation’s Hughes Trophy. Since then, the Blackcats have won the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ten times and the Meritorious Unit Award twice. The dedicated men and women of the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron have sacrificed to meet every challenge of a seven-day-(and night) a-week operation for the last 50 years. The Blackcats are proud of their heritage and remain focused on their mission. Each member is clearly mindful of the responsibility they bear in this volatile part of the world, helping to maintain a fragile peace through persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance.