The U2 can climb to well over 70,000 feet, making it an important asset in the effort to find and destroy senior ISIS fighters.
The U2 can climb to well over 70,000 feet, making it an important asset in the effort to find and destroy senior ISIS fighters.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
The flight suits worn by U2 fliers resemble astronauts' space suits.
The flight suits worn by U2 fliers resemble astronauts' space suits.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
The "Dragonlady" is a Cold War-era plane that has been flying since the 1950s.
The "Dragonlady" is a Cold War-era plane that has been flying since the 1950s.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
The compression suits are cooled to keep the pilots from suffering heat exhaustion.
The compression suits are cooled to keep the pilots from suffering heat exhaustion.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
U2s are difficult to land, with landing gear aligned like the wheel of a bicycle.
U2s are difficult to land, with landing gear aligned like the wheel of a bicycle.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
The pilots fly missions of about 10 hours.
The pilots fly missions of about 10 hours.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
The flight suits protect their wearer at high altitude.
The flight suits protect their wearer at high altitude.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
The U2 is just one tool in used in airborne surveillance aimed at destroying ISIS.
The U2 is just one tool in used in airborne surveillance aimed at destroying ISIS.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN