The Black Cats of Osan

U-2 Spy Plane Escapades and Calamities in Korea

Rick Bishop

$85

Hardback

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English

Casemate Publishers
30 September 2023

Biography: historical, political & military; Postwar 20th century history, from c 1945 to c 2000; Military history; Air forces & warfare

Plying through the darkness at the very limit of the earth's atmosphere, the U-2's extrasensory intelligence-gathering sensors quietly intercept and redistribute mountains of information to a highly classified ground site, located at Osan Air Base, Korea. From there, the top-secret intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) products are distributed to the highest levels of command authority within the United States. Although the Dragon Lady has been in continuous service for nearly 70 years, she has always been considered a National Asset, with technology so sophisticated that she outlasted her replacement - the SR-71 - decades ago.

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Rick Bishop, a former U-2 pilot, takes the reader deep into the Black World of non-satellite ISR to reveal how a small detachment of 100 hand-selected personnel with only eight pilots and two aircraft became the most reliable and productive air force unit to ever utilize the Dragon Lady during the Cold War and to this day. As second-in-command of Detachment 2 (Det 2) of the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing during the mid-1980s, Rick kept a detailed journal of the daily operations that routinely launched pilots on high-altitude solo missions lasting at least nine hours. Wearing full-pressure suits similar, these missions took a physiological toll on each pilot who upon return had to coax the Lady, universally known for her treacherous landing characteristics, safely back on the ground along with the often-priceless intelligence-gathering sensors.

Although the pilots were the pointy end of the spear, this is also the story of the missions that could not be accomplished without the dedicated effort from enlisted personnel and civilian company tech reps to keep the maintenance-intensive platform in the air. Along with Physiological Support Division personnel, responsible for keeping the pilot alive in their pressure suit environment during emergency situations, as well as numerous other support troops required for logistical and supply support, the unparallel success of Det 2 can only be attributed to the professional pride of the close-knit selectively manned brotherhood known as the Black Cats of Osan.

AUTHOR: Growing up in the Miami, Florida suburbs, Rick Bishop was captivated by aviation. Soloing at age 16, his passion for flight knew no bounds, and following his third year of college, he volunteered for the Army Aviation Program leading to 1,000 hours of heavy-lift helicopter combat time in Vietnam. Following his early release from the Army and finishing his bachelor's degree, he joined the Air Force to fly jets and after four years as a KC-135 aircraft commander, instructor, and evaluation pilot, was selected to interview for a special duty assignment as a U-2 pilot culminating 12 years later as the commander of the only operational U-2 squadron in the U.S. Following further advancement, he retired early after nearly 25 years of military aviation service to fly for American Airlines. He retired after over fifty rewarding years of piloting civilian, military and airline aircraft. Lt. Col. Bishop holds A.S., B.S. M.P.A. degrees and is a graduate of the very selective and prestigious Air War College. He now resides in the rolling hills of a central-Florida equestrian community, north of Ocala with his dedicated wife, Virginia, of 40 years.

By: Rick Bishop
Imprint: Casemate Publishers
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9781636243535
ISBN 10: 1636243533
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 30 September 2023
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Growing up in the Miami, Florida suburbs, Rick Bishop was captivated by aviation. Soloing at age 16, his passion for flight knew no bounds, and following his third year of college, he volunteered for the Army Aviation Program leading to 1,000 hours of heavy-lift helicopter combat time in Vietnam. Following his early release from the Army and finishing his bachelor’s degree, he joined the Air Force to fly jets and after four years as a KC-135 aircraft commander, instructor, and evaluation pilot, was selected to interview for a special duty assignment as a U-2 pilot culminating 12 years later as the commander of the only operational U-2 squadron in the U.S. Following further advancement, he retired early after nearly 25 years of military aviation service to fly for American Airlines. He retired after over fifty rewarding years of piloting civilian, military and airline aircraft. Lt. Col. Bishop holds A.S., B.S. M.P.A. degrees and is a graduate of the very selective and prestigious Air War College. He now resides in the rolling hills of a central-Florida equestrian community, north of Ocala with his dedicated wife, Virginia, of 40 years.

Reviews for The Black Cats of Osan: U-2 Spy Plane Escapades and Calamities in Korea

"""With military operations becoming more standardized and routine over time, The Black Cats of Osan provides a valuable insight into the unique experience of U-2 operations and factors that enabled these individuals to accomplish their mission at such a high rate in the face of unpredictable events.""-- ""Aether: A Journal of Strategic Airpower & Spacepower"" ""Rick Bishop's fascinating book takes the reader into the dark world of aerial espionage operating in the East Asia area...For the historian and U-2 Dragon Lady enthusiast, The Black Cats of Osan is a must read.""-- ""The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation"""