SR-71 ALMA MATER

RECOLLECTIONS FROM THE PAST
Guest Book Entry's for 2008

I have been requested to include recollections from various personnel that have either worked on the SR-71 or have been closely associated with the program through support operations. Bear in mind that the SR-71 could have never flown had it not been for the expertise of personnel in a wide variety of specialties in the US Air Force and civilian industry. These include but are not limited to KC-135Q Refueling Support, Air Traffic Controllers, Security Policemen, Base Fire Suppression Support, Medical personnel, Lockheed Technical Support, Physiological Support Division (PSD) and a vast array of top notch people that expended that extra effort to insure the success of the program. If you have been associated with the Blackbird Program and wish to share something with others, please feel free to Sign the Guest Book . Additionally, if you feel you qualify to join the Blackbird Association see the link at the bottom of this page or Click Here and go directly to that link.


There are Twelve  total web pages that comprise the
"SR-71 Alma Mater and Recollections of the Past"

The original web page (the one you are on now) had grown to over 3 Megs in size. To expedite your Browser loading, I have divided the "Guest book" Entries into Chronological year groups by dates the e-mail was received..

• The first year group starts in 1996 and includes the year 1997
• The second year group is 1998
• The third year group is 1999
• The fourth year group is 2000
• The fifth year group is 2001
• The sixth year group is 2002
• The seventh year group is 2003
• The eighth year group is 2004
• The ninth year group is 2005
• The tenth year group is 2006
• The eleventh year group is 2007 
• The twelfth year group is 2008 (This web page)

All current Guest book entries received in the year 2008 will be on the original web page you are viewing now.  



Search the entire 219 web pages of the "SR-71 Blackbirds" Web Site:



Here is the Latest Additions to The SR-71 Blackbirds Web Site:

Updated January 22, 2008

1. The SR-71 Sensor Pages: This is a collection of three WebPages dedicated to the SR-71 Sensors including Cameras (Optical): TROC,OOC, TEOC and OBC. Mission Payloads graphics are included. Sensors: Side Looking Radar, ASARS1, Defensive Systems EMR (ELINT & SIGINT) and Data Link Systems. Posted to the Internet August 24, 2007. The Three pages are:

Page One: http://www.wvi.com/~sr71webmaster/sr_sensors_pg1.htm

Page Two: http://www.wvi.com/~sr71webmaster/sr_sensors_pg2.htm

Page Three: http://www.wvi.com/~sr71webmaster/sr_sensors_pg3.htm

The 2007 Blackbird Reunion DVD is now available. This is the entire video presentation shown at the Saturday night banquet at the Golden Nugget Hotel in Reno, Nevada on 23 June 2007.

The DVD has been revised with new captions and additional images that were not shown at the Blackbird Reunion. If you did not attend the Reunion, this DVD will keep you informed of the Blackbird Community's commitment to excellence. Relive some of the golden years of the Blackbirds and see what is happening in Reconnaissance today. Price $25.00

Mike Relja (NASA) sent us this Powerpoint Presentation of the SR71 Final disposition of parts and units at Barstow. 

There are two Powerpoint files. Download and view here:

File One: http://www.wvi.com/~sr71webmaster/SR-71 Nov 07 Part 1 Final.ppt

File Two: http://www.wvi.com/~sr71webmaster/SR-71 Nov 07 Part 2 Finalupdate.ppt

If you don't have Powerpoint on your computer you can download a free Microsoft Powerpoint Viewer here:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=428D5727-43AB-4F24-90B7-A94784AF71A4&displaylang=en

Own a Piece of Titanium From a Blackbird: Dan Freeman; a Retire Air Force Machine Shop Chief is offering unique Titanium articles for sale at this web site. You can custom order to fit your needs. All Titanium that was stored at Barstow (2,151,760 lbs total of all materials) has been shredded and recycled. A must see Web Site!

2008 Guest Book Entries

Updated February 17, 2008



 

Friday, February 1, 2008 at 17:49 MSgt Eric Hanninen (Ret) Writes: 

Firefighter assigned to RAF Mildenhall from 1988 to 1992. Spent some time parked in front of the SR71 hangar in a P2 (Crash Truck) while the aircraft was being serviced with TEB. The first time on standby I was shocked at the large number of drip pans under the aircraft, all filled with JP-7 and the individual transferring the TEB wearing basically the same protective gear as us firemen. I can still remember seeing the TEB drip out of the hose when it was disconnected. It was pretty cool.

I was also lucky enough to get some egress familiarization training on the aircraft a couple of times before it left Mildenhall.

I was a little disappointed it didn't fly during our Air Fete air show one year before it left. I think it was grounded because one went down near Japan. I always enjoyed watching that aircraft take off. There was no other aircraft like it.

MSgt Eric Hanninen (Ret)

Email: erichanninen1@cox.net



Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 19:31 TSgt Jimmie Gray Writes: 

 

I'm a full time RV'er now, this is my new email address:

 

TSgt Jimmie Gray

 

Email: habucrewchief@yahoo.com



Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 21:57 MSGT / Captain James F. (Jim) Bard, Jr. Writes: 

 

My original entry in the Guest Book was in March 06, my ISP has since changed. 

My current e-mail address is shown here.

MSGT / Captain James F. (Jim) Bard, Jr. 

 

Email: JimBardJr@comcast.net

 

Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 12:02 Sgt. Dale Vincent Writes: I went in the air force when i was 17 and from there to brooks AFB to be trained. Then it was off to Beale AFB. Imagine the look on my face when I saw what I would be working the SR- 71 and the U2R model. I was assigned to P.S.D at Beale then to Det 1 to find out what the banana show was and to go swimming at moon beach which was but a short ride from Kadena. I hear they changed B.C. Street to a new name. Olive harvest was my favorite though. Det 2 was good too as long as it wasn't to cold. The pilot I did most of my training on was killed in Cyprus, he was very well liked. I thought it was interesting that when I arrived at Beale I wasn't allowed to do anything until i got my G.E.D. diploma since it was a requirement to work at P.S.D. Also you had to be 21 which they changed. I couldn't legally consume alcohol until I was almost separated from the air force.  If any of you old PSD'ers want to contact me feel free. Thanks for the site

Sgt. Dale Vincent

Email: bigcheez43@aol.com

Monday, January 21, 2008 at 18:31 Sgt. Raymond Zacher Writes: 

Hello! Just a quick note that my e-mail address will be changing. Please use the address as shown below. I have posted in years past, but would still like to hear from anyone who knew me. I was an Illustrator in the 9th SRW, 9 WHS in the old SAGE building in the vault, Mission Planning. I was stationed at Beale from 11/69 to 8/73. My earlier postings detail some of the personnel I knew and worked with, as well as my experiences at Beale. Not to repeat myself from what I have said earlier, but what a great time!

 

Sgt. Raymond Zacher 

Email: rlzacher@hotmail.com



Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 11:28 TSgt (Ret) Steven Appel Writes: Still hangin at Boeing and now doing the software testing thing and writing the help files for software and doing a little system engineering. My son Luke went into the Marines in 2007 and is now stationed in North Carolina. I've got a 2000 Black Trans Am which I love to race at the track when I get a chance. Her name is: "Black OPS" How fitting right?...lol. http://www.fquick.com/garages/Pontiac/Trans_Am/2000/7362/ Since being hired on at Boeing, I've become a mogul on the debriefing software which we design and upkeep for the Air Force. I often think about my years spent on the SR-71 and can't get away from the stigma surrounding it. I still have a bunch of those coins for sale if anyone wants them.  Only a few of the Black and Red ones remain and are reserved only for true Crew Chiefs. Anyway, wanted to say hi to everyone and email me if you like, Take care, 

Steven "BAD" Appel

Email: Aspen31_3@hotmail.com



Sat January 12, 2008 8:26 AM Sgt George Carrie Writes: 

First of all, congratulations Leland for such a compelling and comprehensive website that brought back many great memories. I was assigned out of Amarillo Tech School when I was 18 years old, to the 9th OMS, "B" team at Beale in 01/67. I joined the AF to get away from home and they stick me 170 miles away from home, which turned out for the better! My fondest memories:

I think I was the first security breach the 9th ever had. Trying to report to the Orderly Room at the Phase hangers, I couldn't find the entrance so I decided to "step" over the 3' rope, which later I learned was supposed to be a 12' metal fence. Oops! After asking where's the orderly room, they got the biggest phase monkey to sit on me since they couldn't just direct me to the door. I'll never forget the grin on the happy-go-lucky Hawaiian first sergeant (can't remember his name) who came to the AP station to bail me out.

• As an A3c, always volunteering to go cook screws at the Phase hanger so I could shoot the poop with my buddies.

• The sounds behind the hangers in the early mornings when SR ground crews were warming up the Buick start carts. It sounded like the NHRA Winter Nationals, while always keeping an eye out for QC!

• I always enjoyed working with MSgt Jim Martin when he crewed 974. That plane never seemed to break. I was saddened when I heard it went for a swim off the Philippines'. Martin, SSgt Anthony McKenney and I belonged to the Beale Aero Club  so one Sunday Anthony rented the clubs Cherokee 6 and the 3 of us headed for San Diego to go see my girlfriend who was a stewardess for PSA. Never caught up with her so after lunch we headed back. Just as we were over the Delta near HWY 80, we ran smack dab into a huge squall and none of us were instrument rated. We started a 360° maneuver so Sacramento radar could pinpoint us and I suddenly saw a wind sock right below us and we eventually landed. Whew, that was close! I felt sorry for Mrs. Martin because she had to do the hour drive each way to come pick us up, since Anthony and I were single. What a beautiful lady, she was. And come to think of it, MSgt Carmon Allen's wife, who worked in the chow hall, was gorgeous, too. How these clowns landed such lovely women was beyond me! Two men with the greatest sense of humor. Always funnin' around but got the job done.

• 974 had a #1 engine hydraulic pump change and Jim Martin was running the show. He comes up to me and asks do you want to handle the cockpit? My eyes lit up like pie plates, and shaking in my britches, I said OK. What a thrill it was going through the whole start up procedure and actually sitting there with #1 idling. I always wondered just how far I could have gotten if I called out remove chalks, please! HA! I'll always value his trust in me to do the job, knowing he knew it would be one of the most incredible experiences of my life.

 

• Walking up to the barracks after breakfast at the chow hall and seeing the horrified expression on SSgt Joyner's face as he stood on the 2nd floor stairwell. After I asked what's wrong,  he pointed to the north and there was smoke coming from the end of the runway where 977 decided not to fly that day. He was the assistant c/c on that plane and lead the preflight. I bet many grave shift personnel were shaking in their boots that dreadful morning in October.

 

• When Sgt Pat "Fitz" Fitzgerald unintentionally disconnected the the MD-3 from 972 during launch and the mission was aborted. He was my room mate and It was a grave shift launch. He woke me up when he returned and he was so depressed. A few months later we both received orders for Vietnam - he to Than Sa Nut and me to Phan Rang. I guess it was guilt by association, aye? At least I became a c/c on the F-100 #674 which also was a great running, somewhat maintenance-free fighter/bomber. All through my life "74" became my lucky number. After I spent the night in the terminal in Cam Rahn Bay, with 30 minutes before I caught my flight home, getting a 5.5 month early out. Sgt Grant told me he saw MSgt Jim Martin who just landed to start his year tour. I wanted so dearly to go give that man a hug for good luck, and speak with him  a bit before I left. But I couldn't find him. Boo hoo. Oh yeah, Pat later became a top notch Porsche mechanic in Denver and did many SCCA events.

 

• While on swing shift, we were waiting behind the hangers for 974's return flight home from Kadena. That  moment brought a tear to my eye as she flew by, escorted by 2 T-38's, and left them in her dust as she pulled straight up. What a dripping mess when we threw the brake coolers on her, fuel leaking like crazy after engine shut down. Can you say over stressed?

 

• The morning my alarm clock didn't go off early when I wanted to see the launch of Darryl Greenamyer, the famous Lockheed test pilot. I heard he always wore his orange flight suit to go hot rodding in the SR. At least I got to witness Sen. Barry Goldwater's launch in one of "C" teams planes. 

 

• I was an avid fisherman and always hit the golf course ponds, the NCO club lake (a beautiful setting) on Beale AFB and my numerous hot fishing spots on the way to Lake Tahoe. Each year for the last 35 years, I've made it a point to run up to the HWY 88 area for the greatest trout fishing in the USA. The Yuba/Marysville gals always wanted to go with us to party at the Yuba River, and while standing in the frigid water with a babe, 20-30 pound salmon would swim right by you. What a sight! Ah, so was she in the cold water! HA!
I was truly amazed by all the photos that have been presented by SR personnel over the years. I was an avid photographer and would have loved to have a camera at times but it was a no-no at Beale. I have 4 albums from Vietnam but nothing of the SR-71 that I can call mine. As a retired Art Director and a pro photographer, I cherish those who submit what they have to your wonderful website. Great job and thanks for all your time devoted towards your website over the years, and thanks for the memories.


Sgt George Carrie
9th OMS, B team
01/67 - 04/69

Email: lleonm@earthlink.net



Friday, January 11, 2008 at 16:59 Sgt. Mike Correa Writes: 

K9 Security/ 1965, May thru November, 1967. I was there upon its first deployment at Beale!! 

At that time there was no words to describe the Blackbird. The thoughts /site/roar/vibration/after Burners lighting UP!!! 

Right now I can live that experiences Again!!! 

It wasn't Science Fiction..

Sgt. Mike Correa

Email: correaltor5@charter.net



Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 09:20 SSgt. Larry Fry Writes: 

I was sent to Beale, right from Lackland, in late 1966...just as the SR became operational. Was in the 9thFMS (weld shop) for my entire four years in the USAF. Was in the very first group sent to Kadena (OL-8)to set up operations there, and went back to Kadena for a second TDY near the end of my enlistment. Odd thing was, I never thought working on and in the SR-71 was any big deal; it was an airplane, I had a job to do. Only decades later, as the mythological proportions of the SR-71 legend grow, does the significance become clear.

I'm proud to have worked on this incredible airplane.

Anyone else here serve with me? Steven Vose? Dave Payne? Mike Montagnon? Ray Schaub? Lattie Robinson? John Krabel? George Casey?

Larry Fry

Email:  rocco16@sbcglobal.net



Tue 1/8/2008 4:38 AM Gene Mallory Writes: 

This came from my neighbor, a retired Air Force pilot and my best friend.


Gene


 

 

 

THE CREW CHIEF

The pilot was everyone's hero

He was brave, he was bold, he was grand

As he stood by his battered airplane

With his goggles and helmet in hand

But for each of these flying heroes

There were thousands little renowned

And these the men who worked on the planes

But kept their feet on the ground

We all know the name of Lindberg

And we've read of his flight of fame

But think if you can of his maintenance man

Can you remember his name?

And think of the wartime heroes

And the acclaim that they all got

Can you tell me the names of their Crew Chiefs ?

A thousand to one you cannot

Now pilots are highly trained people

And wings are not easily won

But without the work of the maintenance men

 Our pilots would march with a gun

 So when you see a powerful airplane

As it makes its way through the air

Remember the grease stained man

With the wrench in his hand

For he is the one who put it there

Gene Mallory

Email: genemallory@yahoo.com



Tue 1/8/2008 4:37 PM  Tony Bevacqua Writes: 

I received a call this morning that Stretch Field died Sunday.  A memorial service will be at the First Assembly of God Church, 312 Swan Avenue, Hohenwald TN 38642.  I will be attending.  As you recall, Stretch was one of the original members of PSD in the SR-71 program.  If you could spread the word I would appreciate it and so would his family.

 

Email was forwarded to Tony by:

Coy Cross 

mailto:coycross2@yahoo.com

If you have been associated with the SR-71 and would like to have your experiences or recollections listed on these Web Pages please fill out the form on the

Guest Book

 

 

If you have worked directly with the SR-71 or U-2, you may qualify to join the Blackbird Association. Pilots, Maintenance Support Personnel, Contractors and PSD support are examples.

You must meet the following criteria established to join the Blackbird Association!

1. You must have been Directly Associated with the SR-71, U-2 Programs. Being stationed where the Blackbirds were operational does not qualify. We have received numerous requests to join the Association by personnel that do not qualify, for example CBPO, Supply, Etc. Certainly these personnel contributed indirectly to the programs but remember the qualifications states: "Directly Associated".

2. The Blackbird Association is Not a Locator Service! Questions directed in this area will be ignored. If you wish to try and locate a former member you may search this page and perhaps you may find the individual.

3. When you contact Jack Madison the first time, he needs your Complete Home Mailing Address. Please insure the address is correct in all aspects. Sending just your E-Mail address is not sufficient.

4. Do not send your "recollections of the past" or "stories" to the Blackbird Association. Use the "Guest Book" above to submit your recollections to be posted on this web page.

If you feel you meet the Criteria to Join the Blackbird Association then Contact

Jack Madison at:

BlackbirdMail@aol.com

 

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First Created: April 15, 1996 - Last Revised: November 13, 2004
Copyright © 1996 Leland R. Haynes     Email: sr71webmaster@wvi.com

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