U-2 of the Black Cat Squadron

From meritorious services and outstanding heroism in action against tremendous odds, the gallant Republic of China Air Force pilots evolved formidable flying skill and newest electronic countermeasure tactics to cope with the strongly missile-defended Communist targets, recording the atomic facilities and other military deployments. As a result of their determined efforts, the surface-to-air missile sites, the first Red Chinese A-bomb test in 1963, the second test in 1964, the first H-bomb test in 1967, and more importantly, their manufacturing capability were known to the world.

In November, 1960, the 35th Squadron was set up at Taoyuan Air Base, northern Taiwan. Nominally it was operated under the CAF commander, in fact this special operation unit directly reported to the ROC president and Central Intelligence Agency, USA. Combat duty began in April, 1961. The reconnaissance sorties covered the entire mainland except for Xinjiang and Tibet. Three sessions were flown per month, until the first U-2 was shot down by a SAM-2 missile on September 9, 1962.

This section of my gallery-by-gallery concludes helpfully with notes about the strategic recons Lockheed U-2 spyplane, Martin RB-57 Canberra, and high altitude hunter MiG-21(殲7):