U-2 Dragonlady Association

News

RAF Akrotiri Memorial Garden -- Finished & dedicated on 7 Dec 2007

With the help of generous donations from DLA members, the the British personnel at RAF Akrotiri completed construct a Memorial Garden near the control tower to commemorate the U-2 disaster in 1977. The dedication of the Memorial Garden occurred on December 7, 2007, the thirtieth anniversary of the crash. Thanks to the many generous DLA members who sent donations.

This first picture shows the current, modest commemorative; a small plaque and picture on a back wall in the Meteorological Office. The plaque says: "In Memory of Jack Alan Flawn, Senior Scientific Officer, and the Cypriot Staff: G. Gostanian, G. Hannis, P. Panayi, and A. Televantos, who died as a result of an aircraft accident which destroyed the meteorological office at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, on 7 December 1977." It is only a small recognition of a tragedy that took six lives.

The new memorial is a fenced-in area with a bronze plaque, benches, plants, etc. Personnel from Project Olive Harvest participated in the planning, construction, and dedication of the Memorial. Memorial Garden. It is right at the base of the control tower, very near the impact point. It has a large bronze plaque, trees, plants, a pergola with bench and a fence surround the Garden.

Click here to see more photos of the construction and dedication ceremony.

Donation Requests

Dick Whitaker, former U-2 pilot, has been helping Jane Drake (widow of Rich Drake – also former U-2 pilot) clean out some of his memorabilia and donate it to the Southern Museum of Flight. The museum is developing a display area dedicated to the U-2. If you would like to offer items for the museum or help in any other way, please contact Mr. Whitaker (see Member List for e-mail address).

Mail call

Looking for a new job? Seeking out an old friend? Know someone who needs a 'get-well' wish? Passing along a goodbye to a U-2 Brother? Or do you just have a good story to share? See Mail from Members

News Articles

UAE ban may complicate U-2 mission
AirForceTimes.com -Mar 28, 2007
The statement could prevent the Air Force from flying intelligence missions over

Iran

with its squadron of U-2 and Global Hawk spy planes based at al-Dhafra Air Base near the Emirates capital

Abu Dhabi

'Will Arab Muslim "Allies" Support the West in a Time of Crisis?' American Daily
Gulf allies reject role in any attack on Iran York Dispatch

Defective US “Lockheed U-2” Grounded from Gunsan Reconnaissance Party
Donga.com -Mar 22, 2007
On March 21, a report was released claiming the Lockheed U-2, the US’s high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, which is in charge of making joint reconnaissance flights over North Korea, has been ordered out of the air with all flights being suspended ...

Into the blue
Art Saboski U-2 Pilot
Prescott Daily Courier -Mar 27, 2007
"They were looking for U-2 pilots," he said. "The airplane had been kept quite secret and the press and public stuck with the notion of it being a spy plane.

Good Training, Miracles, and Heroes

The story of Lt Col Kevin Henry's mission.
- from the Beale AFB news
- from the Chico Enterprise Record and Oroville Mercury Register

From the C4ISR Journal

The U-2 50th Anniversary Reunion was a great success!!

Still available !
Signed Seeker 72 painting
This copy has signatures from the reunion!
Special discounts and options for DLA members.