U.S. deploys U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane for enhanced surveillance along southern border

According to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin, these intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations support U.S. Northern Command’s efforts to strengthen border security. A U.S. Defense Department official confirmed that the U-2 is playing a key role in monitoring and gathering intelligence.

As most of us head into the weekend, I want to thank our U-2, RC-135 & RPA crews who are tirelessly providing unrivaled ISR support for @USNorthernCmd at the border to restore sovereignty and protect American communities…Stay safe and thank you! @PeteHegseth @SeanParnellATSD pic.twitter.com/A2NLhv9WeL

— General David Allvin (@OfficialCSAF) March 14, 2025

The U-2, which can fly at altitudes above 70,000 feet, is equipped with advanced imaging and signals intelligence sensors. Originally developed in the 1950s, the aircraft has been modernised over the years to carry a variety of payloads for high-resolution data collection.

The decision to deploy the U-2 aligns with the broader Pentagon strategy of using military assets to assist border operations. The Trump administration previously prioritised border security as a military mission, employing Air Force and Navy aircraft, Army helicopters, and other ISR assets.

In addition to the U-2, other aircraft such as the RC-135 and Navy P-8s have been conducting intelligence-gathering missions along the border and the Gulf Coast. The Navy P-8s, originally designed for maritime patrol, have been observed carrying advanced radar sensors capable of detecting and tracking targets on land and sea.

Flight tracking data confirms that Air Force RC-135 missions along the border began in early February and are ongoing. On 13 March, an RC-135 was recorded conducting surveillance along the southern border, underscoring the continued military presence in the area.

Alongside aerial surveillance, the U.S. military has also deployed personnel to support border security efforts. Approximately 9,600 troops, including 40 Air Force intelligence analysts and 590 engineers from the U.S. Army, are engaged in the mission.

The intelligence gathered by these operations is analysed and coordinated with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Joint Intelligence Task Force-Southern Border oversees this effort, with at least 140 military intelligence personnel already involved in border monitoring before the latest reinforcements.

U.S. officials have previously highlighted the U-2’s effectiveness in gathering critical intelligence, including its role in tracking the Chinese spy balloon that flew over North America in early 2023. Its current deployment adds to a growing array of surveillance efforts focused on border security.