After 40 Years of Service Legacy Mission System for High-Altitude U-2 is Replaced

A U-2, flying from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, approaches the maintenance hangar after the final sortie for one of its mission systems, Dec. 15, 2016. The final flight is celebrated with a traditional shower and a greeting party consisting of the crews that have maintained the now retired mission system. The retired system will be replaced with one that is currently flown on the RQ-4, enhancing the combined products of manned and unmanned high-altitude products. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Carwile)

After the final sortie for one of the U-2 mission systems the aircraft passes under a water shower, a traditional way of celebrating major milestones or final flights, provided by the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron Fire Department at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Dec. 15, 2016. A system that is already in use on the RQ-4 will replace the retired system, enabling both aircraft to continue providing complimentary high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance products. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Carwile)

A U-2 taxis back towards the maintenance hangar at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia after a sortie, Dec. 15, 2016. This sortie marked the final flight of one of the mission systems that the U-2 is capable of carrying. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Carwile)

Moreno Aguiari

Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.

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