THE TENSION: Photo Essay: Prepping for a U-2 Flight in Southwest Asia

Senior Airman David Sivixay works with Lt. Col. Brian "Bubba" Dickinson on last minute Communications and suit pressurization checks while Senior Airman Allen Smith monitors the results Nov. 14. Both are with the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron Physiological Support Division. Colonel Dickinson is a U-2 Dragonlady pilot with the 99th and is responsible for gathering intelligence in the area of responsibility in support of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. All three are deployed from the 9th Reconnaissance Wing out of Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Airman Sivixay is from San Diego, Calif. Airman Smith's hometown is Tampa, Fla. and Colonel Dickinson is a native of Oscoda, Mich., and Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photographer: Tech. Sgt. Christopher Campbell, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing.)

Senior Airman Allen Smith and Senior Airman David Sivixay test and verify Lt. Col. Brian "Bubba" Dickinson's suit Nov. 14. Both are with the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron Physiological Support Division. Col. Dickinson is a U-2 Dragonlady pilot with the 99th and is responsible for gathering intelligence in the area of responsibility in support of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. All three are deployed from the 9th Reconnaissance Wing out of Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Airman Sivixay is from San Diego, Calif. Airman Smith's hometown is Tampa, Fla. and Colonel Dickinson is a native of Oscoda, Mich., and Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photographer: Tech. Sgt. Christopher Campbell, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing.)

Lt. Col. Brian "Bubba" Dickinson gets help from Senior Airman David Sivixay(left) and Senior Airman Allen Smith putting on a full pressure suit Nov. 14. Both are with the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron Physiological Support Division. Col. Dickinson is a U-2 Dragonlady pilot with the 99th ERS and is responsible for gathering intelligence in the area of responsibility in support of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. All three are deployed from the 9th Reconnaissance Wing out of Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Airman Sivixay is from San Diego, Calif. Airman Smith's hometown is Tampa, Fla. and Colonel Dickinson is a native of Oscoda, Mich., and Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photographer: Tech. Sgt. Christopher Campbell, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing.)

Lt. Col. Brian "Bubba" Dickinson receives a dose of oxygen while Tech. Sgt. Shawn Hansen performs a final inspection Nov. 14. Sergeant Hansen is with the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron Physiological Support Division. Col. Dickenson is a U-2 Dragonlady pilot with the 99th ERS and is responsible for gathering intelligence in the area of responsibility in support of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. Both are deployed from the 9th Reconnaissance Wing out of Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Sergeant Hansen is from Las Vegas, Nev. and Colonel Dickinson is a native of Oscoda, Mich., and Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photographer: Tech. Sgt. Christopher Campbell, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing.)