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SR-71
One of the most recognizable aircraft in the US Air Force, SR-71s were long- range, strategic photo-reconnaissance aircraft that first took flight during the Vietnam War. The SR-71 is best known for its world record speeds, many of which were set without pushing its full capabilities.
From 80,000 feet, these aircraft could survey 100,000 square miles of the earth’s surface per hour. The aircraft’s unique design was different from every other aircraft. This strange, spaceship-like shape enables it to reach the mind-blowing speeds that have made the Blackbird famous.
The US Air Force retired its fleet of SR-71s on Jan. 26, 1990.
Trying to save the SR-71 program
My father, Blackbird Reconnaissance Systems Officer (RSO) Col Richard (Butch) Sheffield worked for the Skunk Works from 1985 to 1989 starting in 1990. He worked directly for and reported to Ben Rich then after that to Sherm Mullins and Jack Gordon, all three Skunk Works presidents.
They were trying to save the SR-71s from being prematurely retired, as my father explains in his book Ohio to Supersonic;
“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 and my father were in a car in the Washington DC area with the highest-ranking member of the New York Air National Guard. This was late 1989 1990-time frame.
NY ANG converting from C-5 to Blackbird
My father 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 SR’s 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!”
Be sure to check out Linda Sheffield Miller (Col Richard (Butch) Sheffield’s daughter, Col. Sheffield was an SR-71 Reconnaissance Systems Officer) Twitter Page Habubrats SR-71 and Facebook Page Born into the Wilde Blue Yonder for awesome Blackbird’s photos and stories.
Photo credit: U.S. Air Force and NASA
