combat aircraft

R

ick Bishop flew for more

than 50 years as a civilian,

army and air force pilot,

amassing some 16,

hours in the air. At age 16, his

passion for aviation started with

flight lessons that continued

through college. Joining the

army in 1967, he saw action as

a helicopter pilot in Vietnam

before switching to the air

force in 1974 to fly jets. He

interviewed for the ‘special duty’

U-2 program in 1977 and was

selected as a ‘Dragon Lady’ pilot.

Over the following 13 years he

rose to become commander

of the 99th Strategic

Reconnaissance Squadron

before retiring in 1991. He then

flew for American Airlines until

federally mandated retirement.

He now resides in the rolling

hills of central Florida.

CONTRIBUTOR OF THE MONTH

RICK BISHOP

A U-2ST trainer

comes in to land

at Beale AFB as

a new ‘Dragon

Lady’ pilot learns

the unique skills

associated with

this incredible

aircraft. USAF

04

COMBAT EDGE // FIND US ON

July 2018 // http://www.combataircraft.net

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