The Blackbird
The SR-71, often called the “Blackbird,” is a long-range, high-performance strategic reconnaissance plane derived from the Lockheed A-12 and YF-12A. It first flew on December 22, 1964, and the initial operational SR-71 was delivered to the 4200th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (later redesignated the 9th) at Beale Air Force Base in California in January 1966.
During its almost 24 years in service, the SR-71 held the title of the fastest and highest-flying operational aircraft in the world. Cruising at 80,000 feet, it could scan 100,000 square miles of terrain every hour. On July 28, 1976, one SR-71 established two class records: a top speed of 2,193.167 mph and a maximum altitude of 85,068.997 feet.
The U.S. Air Force officially retired all SR-71 aircraft on January 26, 1990.
Trying to save the Blackbird program
Blackbird Reconnaissance Systems Officer (RSO) Col. Richard “Butch” Sheffield worked at the Skunk Works from 1985 to 1989 and again beginning in 1990. He reported directly to Ben Rich and later to Sherm Mullins and Jack Gordon, each of whom served as president of Skunk Works.
They were working to prevent the SR-71 fleet from being retired too soon, as my father describes in his forthcoming book, From the SR-71 to the Skunk Works: The Life and Career of Colonel Richard “Butch” Sheffield.
“During the late 1980s and the early 1990s, Ben and I wined and dined just about everyone in Washington who could help save the SR. This included the then-current Vice President of the United States, Cheney; many senators and representatives; most of the people from the intelligence community; leaders of the Department of Defense; and officials.”
What people didn’t understand about Ben and his “close relationship was this. I found out what programs Ben Rich was cleared for; he had been cleared on overhead programs (intelligence satellites). I took him into the only secure vault at the Skunk Works, where we could talk about these programs, then I went to the chalkboard and drew a diagram explaining the entire overhead complex, what they did who they supported, and what their shortcomings were. I explained to him how things worked in Washington, DC; I learned all this while working at the Pentagon and later for the House Ways and Means Committee for Congress. After that, Ben wanted me near him to advise him.”
Rich was riding in a car in the Washington, D.C., area with the top-ranking officer of the New York Air National Guard. This took place in the late 1989 to 1990 period.
NY ANG from C-5 to SR-71
Sheffield recalls.
“I was trying to save the SR with my knowledge of the program and my access to high-level persons in Washington. One of them was the commander of the New York Air National Guard. At the time, this guard unit was flying the Lockheed C-5. They were having trouble keeping them flying because of funds for spare parts. I took him to the right people on Capitol Hill to help fix the problem. As we got to know each other better, I asked him if his guard unit would like the SR-71s. He almost jumped out of the car. Of course, he wanted them.”
“This was in 1990. We almost pulled it off, giving the SRs away. The Air Guard Commander (a three-star general) called the New York Guard commander into his office in Washington and chewed him out. The chief of staff, Larry Welch, had forbidden this action. He was afraid the SR-71 would continue to show up the Air Force at Air Shows!”
Check out Habubrats SR-71 and Born into the Wilde Blue Yonder Habubrat Facebook pages for further Blackbird photos and stories.
Photo by U.S. Air Force and NASA
