Major David Hosley is dressed for his flight by U-2 equipment technicians (from left) AIRMAN 1ST Class Michael Grawe, SENIOR AIRMAN Shawn Brown, and AIRMAN 1ST Class Miquel Vargas. AIRMAN Magazine article describes the U-2 as still being a major player in the nation's reconnaissance mission despite its 1950s' design and first flight in 1955. Capable of then flying over 70,000 feet, and now even higher thanks to a new F-118-101 engine and upgraded avionics the aircraft was awarded the Collier Trophy in 1998 by the National Aeronautic Association and named the U-2S. The U-2S now has digital capabilty and can transmit data instantaneously to analysts at Beale AFB by using a network of ground.... Complete Scene Caption: Major David Hosley is dressed for his flight by U-2 equipment technicians (from left) Airman 1st Class Michael Grawe, Senior Airman Shawn Brown, and Airman 1st Class Miquel Vargas. Airman Magazine article describes the U-2 as still being a major player in the nation's recon