28-year Air Force veteran, Penn Valley resident, organizes U-2 missions from Southwest Asia

Photo By Master Sgt. Jenifer Calhoun | Lt. Col. Kevin R. Kirkpatrick is the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron chief of U-2 Mission Planning at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia. A 28-year veteran of the Air Force, Kirkpatrick and fellow Airmen from the 99th ERS plan and monitor daily U-2 missions supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. He is deployed from the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., and he is a resident of Penn Valley, Calif.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

01.27.2010

Story by Senior Airman Jenifer Calhoun 

380th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Lt. Col. Kevin R. Kirkpatrick is the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron Chief of U-2 Mission Planning at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia. A 28-year veteran of the Air Force, Kirkpatrick and fellow Airmen from the 99th ERS plan and monitor daily U-2 missions supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. He is deployed from the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., and he is a resident of Penn Valley, Calif.

In the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance role in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, there is little doubt the ISR role plays a significant part of the success of operations. For Lt. Col. Kevin R. Kirkpatrick, his deployed job directly affects that role through coordinating missions with the U-2 Dragon Lady.

Kirkpatrick, the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron chief of U-2 Mission Planning at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia, said he and fellow Airmen from the 99th ERS plan and monitor daily U-2 missions supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

"I keep the command chain advised on status of current missions," said Kirkpatrick, who is deployed from the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. "I also ensure pilots have current information on communications and weather."

According to its Air Force fact sheet, the U-2 is a single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude/near space reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft providing signals, imagery and electronic measurements and signature intelligence. The plane, which flies up to altitudes of 70,000 feet, is also capable of gathering a variety of imagery, including multi-spectral electro-optic, infrared, and synthetic aperture radar products which can be stored or sent to ground exploitation centers. In addition, it also supports high-resolution, broad-area synoptic coverage provided by the optical bar camera producing traditional film products which are developed and analyzed after landing.

For this airframe to complete its multi-faceted mission, Kirkpatrick said his job also requires him to ensure there is adequate spacing between takeoffs, landings and the flight paths of U-2s to ensure that operations will proceed smoothly with no danger to aircraft.

"This effort means coordinating with embassies to ensure proper flight clearances," said the 28-year Air Force veteran. "Additionally, I work with my team to track the effectiveness of missions and devise ways to increase that effectiveness."

Kirkpatrick, who resides in Penn Valley, Calif., said the information the U-2 provides directly aids the warfighters on the front lines of operations.

"We provide the information to ground troops necessary to predict and follow enemy actions in real time," Kirkpatrick said. "The over-watch is a big benefit to keeping our troops safer than they would be otherwise."

For all his years in the Air Force, Kirkpatrick said he is glad to serve in the Air Force and the military.

"Our military is much more critical to the safety and security of America than most Americans imagine," Kirkpatrick said. "Only those of us who have lived in countries who have not enjoyed the stability America has held on to can fully appreciate how fragile that stability is and how easy it would be to lose it. Maintaining the bedrock principles America was founded on, and working to help stabilize portions of the world like this that have a high potential to explode into worldwide conflict, are crucial to protecting those fragile freedoms we want to preserve for our children and grandchildren."

Being deployed is nothing new to Colonel Kirkpatrick. He said deployed U-2 operations have always had one important element -- supporting the troops.

"It is an honor to do anything we can to support the troops truly on the front line," Kirkpatrick said. "We should concentrate every day on finding new ways to better support their needs and safety."

The 99th ERS is an attached unit of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. The 380th AEW is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia.

• Date Taken: 01.27.2010
• Date Posted: 01.27.2010 23:13
• Story ID: 44531
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)