During my 6 years in the Navy, I spent time at NAS Moffett Field where they flew U-2 aircraft. It was amazing to watch them take-off and land.
Even more impressive was the successor to the U-2, the SR-71 (the Blackbird), which I was able to watch while stationed at an Air Force Base in Kadena, Okinawa. My P-3 (submarine chaser) squadron was in the hangar next to where the SR-71's were at.
Whenever an SR-71 was scheduled for take-off, the Air Force ordered our hangar doors closed, which was essentially a signal to get our ear protection on and head out to the tarmac.
The night take-off's were spectacular. An incredible roar and beautiful blue tailing flames as the aircraft took off, almost like a rocket (which I have also experienced), indeed, the pilots wear space suits:
Wait until you see the SR-71 replacement, the SR-72 Darkbird (which will fly at Mach 6):
Incidentiy, the base I was stationed at for nearly four years in Japan, was a former CIA base where Gary Powers flew his U-2 out of at the height of the Cold War, and was shot down over the USSR - it was also where Lee Harvey Oswald was stationed as a Marine guard.
ADG