U2 'Dragonlady' pilots spy on ISIS from the edge of space

Getting dressed for a combat mission in a U2 "Dragonlady" reconnaissance plane looks almost like the preparations for a space flight, the pilot in a yellow compression suit wearing a massive white helmet. The suits need to be cooled the entire time, otherwise the pilots would die of heat exhaustion in a matter of minutes, but they are necessary to protect the crew members as they fly surveillance missions over Iraq and Syria at more than 70,000 feet scoping out ISIS targets. The US Air Force gave CNN rare access to U2 crews flying out of a secret location in the Middle East. We can only identify the pilots by their rank, first name and their call sign. The pilot getting suited up was named Capt. Steven. His call sign is "Meathead." He was brought to the plane in a bus similar to those that bring astronauts to their spacecraft. He was connected to a mobile cooling unit the entire time. Dozens of ground personnel were readying the U2 jet for a 10-hour mission. U2s are difficult to land, with landing gear aligned like the wheel of a bicycle. Photos: U2s are difficult to land, with landing gear aligned like the wheel of a bicycle. Hide Caption 5 of 8 The pilots fly missions of about 10 hours. Photos: The pilots fly missions of about 10 hours. Hide Caption 6 of 8 The flight suits protect their wearer at high altitude. Photos: The flight suits protect their wearer at high altitude. Hide Caption 7 of 8 The U2 is just one tool in used in airborne surveillance aimed at destroying ISIS. Photos: The U2 is just one tool in used in airborne surveillance aimed at destroying ISIS. Hide Caption 8 of 8 The U2 can climb to well over 70,000 feet, making it an important asset in the effort to find and destroy senior ISIS fighters. Photos: The U2 can climb to well over 70,000 feet, making it an important asset in the effort to find and destroy senior ISIS fighters. Hide Caption 1 of 8 The flight suits worn by U2 fliers resemble astronauts' space suits. Photos: The flight suits worn by U2 fliers resemble astronauts' space suits. Hide Caption 2 of 8 The "Dragonlady" is a Cold War-era plane that has been flying since the 1950s. Photos: The "Dragonlady" is a Cold War-era plane that has been flying since the 1950s. Hide Caption 3 of 8 The compression suits are cooled to keep the pilots from suffering heat exhaustion. Photos: The compression suits are cooled to keep the pilots from suffering heat exhaustion. Hide Caption 4 of 8 U2s are difficult to land, with landing gear aligned like the wheel of a bicycle. Photos: U2s are difficult to land, with landing gear aligned like the wheel of a bicycle. Hide Caption 5 of 8 The pilots fly missions of about 10 hours. Photos: The pilots fly missions of about 10 hours. Hide Caption 6 of 8 The flight suits protect their wearer at high altitude. Photos: The flight suits protect their wearer at high altitude. Hide Caption 7 of 8 The U2 is just one tool in used in airborne surveillance aimed at destroying ISIS. Photos: The U2 is just one tool in used in airborne surveillance aimed at destroying ISIS. Hide Caption 8 of 8 The U2 can climb to well over 70,000 feet, making it an important asset in the effort to find and destroy senior ISIS fighters.