These Lockheed U-2 spy planes were downed by PRC air defenses during the 1960s. Piloted by the Taiwanese "Black Cat Squadron" the U-2 was used for reconnaissance flights over the mainland. Supplied and trained by the the CIA and USAF, the Black Cat Squadron lost five U-2s to PRC SA-2 missiles.

One aircraft lost while performing an operational mission off the Chinese coast and another seven aircraft lost in training with six pilots killed.

After Nixon's visit to Beijing, all reconnaissance flights over the People's Republic ceased and the squadron was disbanded in 1974.

:mao-wave: