1956 05/01

Pratt & Whitney contract to develop engine (JT9) for CL-400; J-58 (JT 11D-20) is 80% size of JT9 (SME)

1957 12/24

First J-58 engine run (BB)

1958 04/21

First mention of Archangel (became A-12) in Kelly Johnson's dairy (LSW)

1959 08/29

CIA accepts A-12 design (LSW; BB)

1959 09/02

CIA ok's project "Oxcart" studies (LSW)

1959 11/00

A-12 mock-up undergoes RCS testing at Groom Lake, NV (SME; LSW)

30 Jan 1960

CIA approves funding for 12 A-12s (SME; LSW; BB)

Feb 1960

CIA proposes to Lockheed to begin search for 24 pilots for A-12

Sep 1960

Work begins to enlarge and lengthen runway at Groom Lake, NV

Jan 1961

Kelly Johnson sends proposal to Dr. Joseph Charyk(SAF), Col. Leo Geary (YF-12 Project Officer), Lew Meyer(Finance Officer) for RS-12 Strategic Recon Bomber (LSB; SME)

26 Feb 1962

First A-12 leaves Burbank, Ca for Groom Lake, NV by truck (SME; LSW)

28 Feb 1962

A-12 arrives by truck at Groom Lake, NV (SME)

24 Apr 1962

A-12 high speed taxi tests; Lockheed Test Pilot: Lou Schalk (AM1; LSB)

26 Apr 1962

First flight of A-12 article #121/ #6924; Lockheed Test Pilot: Lou Schalk (BIA; AM1; LSB; BB)

30 Apr 1962

A-12 art.#121/#6924, first official flight; Lockheed Test Pilot: Lou Schalk

May 1962

Bill Park joins Lou Schalk as 2nd pilot for A-12 program

4 May 1962

A-12 goes supersonic (Mach 1.1) for first time (LSW)

4 Jun 1962

SR-71 mock-up reveiwed by USAF (BB; LSW-14 May)

26 Jun 1962

Second A-12 art. #122/#6925 arrives at Groom Lake;(now on display at USS Intrepid Museum, NYC) (SME)

30 Jul 1962

J-58 completes pre-flight testing (BB)

Aug 1962

Third A-12 art#123/#6926 arrives at Groom Lake, NV (SME; LSW)

Aug 1962

Jim Eastham becomes third pilot for Blackbird Program (LSW)

Oct 1962

Second A-12 flies at Groom Lake, NV (SME)

Oct 1962

Letter of Intent for $1 million for AF-12(YF-12) delivered to Lockheed (LSW)

5 Oct 1962

A-12 flies with J-75 (Left nacelle) and J-58 (Right nacelle) engines (LSW)

10 Oct 1962

Skunk Works receives authorization for Drone (Q-12) study from CIA

Nov 1962

Fourth A-12 (2 seat trainer) art.#124/6027 arrives at Groom Lake, NV (SME)

17 Dec 1962

Fifth A-12 art.#125/#6928 arrives at Groom Lake (LSW)

28 Dec 1962

Lockheed signs contract to build 6 SR-71 aircraft (AM1; LSB; BB)

7 Jan 1963

A-12 Trainer flies for first time (TL; SME; LSW)

5 Jan 1963

Bob Gilliland hired as fourth pilot for "Program" (LSW)

15 Jan 1963

First fully J-58 engined A-12 flies (SME; LSW)

15 Jan 1963

Bob Gilliland arrives at Groom Lake, NV (LSW)

Feb 1963

William Skliar joins "Oxcart" program (LSB)

Mar 1963

Jim Eastham begins writing Flight Handbook for YF-12 (LSB)

24 May 1963

First loss A-12 art.#123/#6926 crashed near Wendover, UT; Ken Collins ok, pitched up and became inverted during subsonic flight (AM1; LSB; SME; BB)

31 May 1963

Mock-up review of AF-12 (LSW)

Jun 1963

Q-12 drone fit check to A-12 (RK)

20 Jul 1963

First Mach 3 A-12 flight (LSW)

7 Aug 1963

First YF-12 flight; Lockheed Test Pilot: James Eastham (AM1; LSB; LSW; BB)

1 Oct 1963

Q-12 design finalized, and renamed D-21 (RK)

Nov 1963

A-12 design speed (3.2 mach) and altitude(78,000ft)

3 Feb 1964

A-12 cruises at Mach 3.2 and 83,000ft for 10 minutes (LSW)

29 Feb 1964

President Johnson announces existence of A-11 (actually A-12, and showed pics of YF-12) (LSW; BB)

13 Mar 1964

First Flight of YF-12 #6936, Lockheed Test Pilot: James Eastham (RK)

Apr 1964

M-21 #6940 First Flight

16 Apr 1964

First AIM-47 ejected in flight from YF-12; Lockheed Test Pilot/FCO: Jim Eastham/? (RON)

May 1964

Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara cancels RS-70 program (Recon/Strike) in favor of SR-71 program (Recon) (SME)

Jun 1964

Final A-12 #6939 delivered to Groom Lake (RK)

19 Jun 1964

Fit check of mating of M-21 #134 and D-21 #504 is successful (LSW)

9 Jul 1964

Bill Park forced to eject from A-12 art.#133/#6939 on final at Groom Lake; stuck outboard aileron servo valve (LSW)

24 Jul 1964

President Johnson makes public announcement of RS-71 and reverses name to SR-71 (LSW)

5 Aug 1964

Cuban overflights "Skylark" planning starts (Emergency operational status by 5 Nov) (SME)

29 Oct 1964

SR-71 #950 prototype delivered to Palmdale, Site 2, Air Force Plant 42 in 2 large trailers (BB)

10 Nov 1964

First operational A-12 mission and penetration of denied airspace over Cuba (CIA denies this) (LSW)

7 Dec 1964

Beale AFB, CA announced as base for SR-71 (BB)(LSB says Oct 64)

18 Dec 1964

First engine run of SR-71 prototype (BB)

21 Dec 1964

SR-71 taxi tests (BB)

22 Dec 1964

First flight of SR-71 #950; Lockheed Test Pilot Bob Gilliland at Palmdale; flew for 1 hour and over 1000mph (AM1; BB)

22 Dec 1964

First flight M-21/D-21 at Groom Lake; Lockheed Test Pilot Bill Park (piloted all M-21/D-21 flights) (BIA; SME; BB)

1 Jan 1965

4200 SRW Activated at Beale AFB, CA, along with 4200 HQS, AEMS, FMS, OMS, Medical Group (BIA; LSB; SME)

9 Jan 1965

Jim Eastham flies YF-12A at Mach 3.2 for 5 minutes

27 Jan 1965

A-12 flown for 1hr 40 min at Mach 3.1 or higher for a distance of 3000 miles (SME)

5 Mar 1965

First flight of SR-71A #951, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bob Gilliland/ Jim Zwayer (now on display at Pima Air Museum, AZ) (LSW; BB)

18 Mar 1965

First firing of GAR-9 from YF-12A; Lockheed Test Pilot/FCO: Jim Eastham/? (LSW; RON)

22 Mar 1965

Deputy Sec. of Defense Cyrus Vance briefed on Project "Black Shield", plan to base A-12s at Kadena AB, Okinawa (SME)

Apr 1965

Acton delivers the first 3 Type H (60" focal length) cameras for A-12 (SME)

1 May 1965

Two YF-12A (#6934 & #6936) sets Speed and Altitude Records: Class C, Group III Sustained Altitude(absolute):80,258ft USAF Pilots/FCO: Col Robt. Stevens/ Lt Col Daniel Andre

15/25 KM Closed Circuit: 2,070.102mph, USAF Pilot/FCO: Col. Robert Stephens/ Lt Col Daniel Andre

500 KM Closed Circuit: 1,643.042mph, USAF Pilot/FCO: Maj Walter Daniel/ Maj. Noel Warner

1000KM Closed Circuit: 1,688.891mph, USAF Pilot/FCO: Maj Walter Daniel/ Capt James Cooney

(BIA; LSW)

1 Jun 1965

SR-71/YF-12 Test force formed at Edwards AFB, CA

3 Jun 1965

Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara inquires of Under Secretary of USAF practicality of substituting A-12 for U-2 over Vietnam (LSW)

4 Jun 1965

First flight of SR-71A #953; Lockheed Test Pilots: Bill Weaver/ George Andre (LSW; BB)

1 Jul 1965

Col J. A. Des Portes becomes 4200 SRW Commander thru 17 Jul 1965 (9RW)

7 Jul 1965

First T-38 companion trainers arrive at Beale AFB, CA (LSB; SME; BB)

20 Jul 1965

First flight of SR-71A #954; Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ George Andre (LSW; BB)

17 Aug 1965

First flight of SR-71A #955; Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ George Andre (Now on display at USAF Flight Test Museum, Edward AFB, CA) (LSW; BB)

18 Sep 1965

Col D. T. Nelson becomes(again) 4200 SRW Commander thru 24 Jun 1966 (9RW; BB)

28 Sep 1965

GAR-9 fired from YF-12A at Mach 3.2 at 75,000 ft, with target at a range of 36 miles, missed target by 6 feet

5 Nov 1965

Project "Skylark" (Cuban overflights) on emergency operational status (SME)

18 Nov 1965

First flight SR-71B #956; Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bob Gilliland / Steven Belgau (now operational with NASA) (BB; JS)

20 Nov 1965

A-12 flies for 6hrs, 20 minutes(longest flight to date) (LSW; SME)

2 Dec 1965

"303 Committee" asked to deploy Oxcart to Far East(Black Shield); They reject proposal , but want quick-reaction capability in 21 days (SME)

14 Dec 1965

Col W.R. Hayes becomes 9 SRW Commander through 26 Jun 1969 (9RW; BB)

15 Dec 1965

First flight of SR-71A #958; Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ George Andre (LSW; BB)

18 Dec 1965

First flight of SR-71B #957; Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ Jim Eastham (LSW; BB)

7 Jan 1966

First SR-71B #956 delivered to USAF flown to Beale AFB by Ray Haupt/ Doug Nelson (AM!; SME; LSW; LSB)

9 Jan 1966

First flight SR-71A #960; Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ George Andre (LSW; BB)

19 Jan 1966

First flight SR-71A #959; Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ George Andre (now on display Eglin AFB, FL) (BB)

25 Jan 1966

First SR-71A crash, #952 crashed near Tucumcary, NM; Lockheed Test Pilot/ RSO: Bill Weaver ejected at over 3 Mach Jim Zwayer was killed (LTR)

11 Feb 1966

Staff Crew #1 completes initial qualification in SR-71, USAF Crew: Doug Nelson/ Russell Lewis (RLL)

5 Mar 1966

First D-21 #503 launched from M-21 #6941, and flew 150 nmi; Lockheed Test Pilot/FCO: Bill Park/ Keith Beswick (LSW)

13 Apr 1966

First flight SR-71A #961; Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ George Andre (LSW; BB)

27 Apr 1966

Second D-21 #506 launched from M-21 #6941 and flew 1120 nmi; Lockheed Test Pilot/LCO: Bill Park/ Ray Torrick (LSW)

29 Apr 1966

First flight SR-71A #962; Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ Steven Belgau; (In flyable storage at Palmdale, CA) (LSW; BB)

29 Apr 1966

Second batch of 15 D-21s ordered

11 May 1966

First flight SR-71A #964, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ Steven Belgau (LSW; BB)

24 May 1966

First SR-71A #958 delivered to Beale AFB, CA USAF Pilots: Bill Campbell/ Al Pennington (LSB says 10 May)(LSW says 4 Apr 1966)(WC)

24 May 1966

Second SR-71A #962 Delivered to Beale AFB, CA, by USAF Crew: Douglas Nelson/ Russell Lewis, from Palmdale, CA (WC)

16 Jun 1966

Third D-21 #505 launch from M-21 #6941, it flew 1600 nmi; Lockheed Test Pilot/ LCO: Bill Park/ Keith Beswick (LSW)

9 Jun 1966

First flight SR-71A #963, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ Steven Belgau (LSW; BB)

10 Jun 1966

First flight SR-71A #965, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ Kenneth Moeller (LSW; BB)

25 Jun 1966

4200 SRW inactivated, 9 SRW formed (9RW; BIA; LSB; SME)

1 Jul 1966

First flight SR-71A #966, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bob Gilliland/ Steven Belgau (LSW; BB)

30 Jul 1966

Fourth D-21 #504 launch from a M-21 #6941, results in the D-21 colliding with the M-21, both crew eject Pilot Bill Park survives, but LCO Ray Torrick drowns, ending M-21/D-21 program (AM1; SME)

3 Aug 1966

First flight of SR-71A #967, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ George Andre (LSW; BB)

14 Aug 1966

YF-12A #6934 crashed, (rear half mated to front half of SR-71 static model to make SR-71C #64-17981)

10 Oct 1966

First flight of SR-71A #968, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ George Andre (LSW; BB)

18 Oct 1966

First flight of SR-71A #969, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ Steven Belgau (LSW; BB)

21 Oct 1966

First flight of SR-71A #970, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ Steven Belgau (LSW; BB)

17 Nov 1966

First flight of SR-71A #971, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ Kenneth Moeller; (now being flown by NASA as #832) (LSW; BB)

12 Dec 1966

First flight of SR-71A #972, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ Steven Belgau (LSW; BB)

21 Dec 1966

Bill Park flies A-12 10,200 mi (statute) in 6 hrs (LSW; SME; ADR)

23 Dec 1966

Decision is made to terminate A-12 Operation by 1 Jun 1968 (LSW)

5 Jan 1967

A-12 #6928 lost on training mission from Groom Lake, NV, the a/c ran out of fuel due to a faulty fuel gauge, CIA Pilot: Walt Ray killed when he failed to separate from ejection seat after ejecting from A-12 (AM1; SME)

10 Jan 1967

SR-71A #950 crashes at Edwards AFB, CA during max gross weight anti-skid brake test; Lockheed Test Pilot: Art Peterson OK, no RSO on flight (LSW; PH)

10 Jan 1967

Secretary of Defense Cyrus Vance advised that 4 A-12s will be placed in storage by July, and 2 more in Dec, and 4 more in Jan 1968 (SME)

18 Jan 1967

First flight of SR-71A #973, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ Darrell Greenamyer (LSW)

16 Feb 1967

First flight of SR-71A #974, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ Steven Belgau (LSW; BB)

13 Apr 1967

First flight of SR-71A #975, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ Steven Belgau (LSW; BB)

13 Apr 1967

First SR-71 #966 lost by 9 SRW crew, crashes near Las Vegas, NM, as a result of over extended angle of attack and stalled aircraft; USAF Pilot/RSO: Earle Boone/ Richard Sheffield (crew E-12) (LSW; PH)

17 Apr 1967

R.L. "Silverfox" Stevens flies SR-71 14,000 miles and is awarded FAI Gold Medal (BIA; BB)

May 1967

Deputy Secretary of Defense Cyrus Vance directs that SR-71 assume Cuban overflights in July 1967 and in Vietnam by Dec 1967 from CIA's A-12s (SME)

May 1967

First flight of SR-71A #976, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bob Gilliland/ Steven Belgau (LSW; BB)

17 May 1967

First support components for operation "Black Shield" airlifted to Kadena AB, Okinawa (OL-8) (LSW)

22 May 1967

First A-12 art#131/#937, flown to Kadena AB, Civilian Pilot: Mel Vojovodich (LSW)

24 May 1967

Second A-12 art #127/#933, flown to Kadena AB, Civilian Pilot: Jack Layton, A-12 lost TDI after take-off but he proceeded anyway to Kadena (SME)

26 May 1967

A-12 art#129/#932, lands at Midway Island with INS problems on way to Kadena AB, Okinawa deployment, Civilian Pilot: Jack Weeks (SME)

27 May 1967

Photo of initial SR crews taken at Beale AFB, CA (LSB)

27 May 1967

Third A-12 art#129/#932 arrives at Kadena AB after stop-over at Midway Island (SME)

29 May 1967

"Black Shield" unit declared operational (SME; LSW)

31 May 1967

First A-12 (art#131/#937) mission, It was over North Vietnam and lasted 3 hrs 39 minutes; CIA Pilot: Mel Vojvodich (SME; LSW; RON)

15 Aug 1967

Since 31 May 1967, 15 A-12 missions alerted, but only 7 flown (SME)

6 Jun 1967

First flight SR-71A #977, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bob Gilliland/ Darrell Greenamyer (LSW; BB)

2 Jul 1967

Jim Watkins and Dave Dempster flew first international sortie in SR-71A #972 when on a training mission the INS failed and they flew into Mexican airspace (SME)

5 Jul 1967

First flight SR-71A #978, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bill Weaver/ Steven Belgau; Aircraft became known as "Rapid Rabbit" (LSW; BB)

10 Aug 1967

First flight SR-71A #979, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Darrel Greenamyer/ Steven Belgau, ( now on display at Lackland AFB, TX) (LSW; BB)

25 Sep 1967

First flight SR-71A #980, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bob Gilliland/ Steven Belgau; (Now flying as NASA #844) (LSW; BB)

28 Sep 1967

D-21 #501 accidently dropped from B-52H, while on the ground (LSW)

25 Oct 1967

SR-71A #965 crashed near Lovelock, NV after ANS failure, 2nd SR lost by 9 SRW, USAF Pilot/RSO: Roy St.Martin/ John Carnochan (crew E-18) ok (LSB; SME; LSW)

30 Oct 1967

Dennis Sullivan flying an A-12 mission over North Vietnam had 6 missiles launched against him, 3 detonated, on post flight inspection, they found a small piece of metal from missile imbeded in lower wing fillet area (LSW)

3 Nov 1967

A-12 and SR-71 pitted against each other in a recon fly-off, code named "Nice Girl" over the Mississippi Valley, 1 hour apart. Results were inconclusive (RK)

6 Nov 1967

D-21 #507 launched from B-52H and flew 134 nmi (LSW)

2 Dec 1967

D-21 #509 launched from B-52H and flew 1430 nmi (LSW)

28 Dec 1967

A-12 art#126/#929 crashed at Groom Lake, NV due to crosswired SAS, CIA Pilot: Mel Vojvodich ok (LSB; SME; PH)

31 Dec 1967

Since 16 Aug 1967, 26 A-12 missions alerted, only15 flown (LSW)

5 Jan 1968

Skunk Works receives official USAF notice closing down YF-12 ops (LSW)

11 Jan 1968

SR-71B #957 crashes near Beale AFB, CA due to double generator failure; USAF Pilots: Robert Sowers/ David Fruehauf ok (LSB; LSW; BB)

19 Jan 1968

D-21 #508 launched from B-52H and flew 280 nmi (LSW)

26 Jan 1968

First A-12 overflight of North Korea, this was during Pueblo incident, CIA Pilot: Frank Murray (SME; LSW)

5 Feb 1968

Lockheed receives letter from USAF, instructing them to destroy A-12, YF-12 and SR-71 tooling (LSW), as ordered by Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara

8 Mar 1968

First SR-71A #978 arrives at Kadena AB, Okinawa (OL-8), USAF Pilot/ RSO: Buddy Brown/ David Jensen (LSB, SME, BB)

10 Mar 1968

2nd SR-71A #976 deployed to Kadena AB, Okinawa (OL-8), USAF Pilot/RSO: Jerry O'Malley/ Edward Payne (SME)

13 Mar 1968

3rd SR-71A #974 arrives at Kadena AB, Okinawa, USAF Pilot/RSO: Robert Spencer/ Ruel Branham (SME)

15 Mar 1968

All 3 SR-71s operational at Kadena AB (SME)

16 Mar 1968

Fourth Aircrew arrives at Kadena AB, Okinawa the "hard way" by KC-135Q (SME)

21 Mar 1968

First SAC/9 SRW SR-71(SR-71A #976) operational mission flown from Kadena AB over Vietnam, USAF Pilot/RSO: Jerry O'Malley/ Edward Payne (Crew E-10) (LSB; SME) (BB says 30th)

30 Mar 1968

D-21 #511 launched from B-52H and flew 150 nmi (LSW)

31 Mar 1968

Since 1 Jan 1968, 15 A-12 missions alerted, only 6 flown (LSW)

8 May 1968

Last A-12 mission flown over North Korea, CIA Pilot: Jack Layton (SME; LSW)

29 May 1968

CMSGT Bill Gormick starts tie-cutting tradition of HABU crews neck-ties (SME)

4 Jun 1968

First overseas loss of A-12 art.#129/#932, crashed for unknown reason (neither A-12 or pilot ever found) on post maintenance test hop (FCF), CIA Pilot: Jack Weeks was killed (LSW)(AM1; BB; SMEsays 5 June)

7 Jun 1968

A-12 art. #131/#6937, had to divert to Wake Island on way from Kadena AB to Groom Lake, NV, due to fuel leak; CIA Pilot: Ken Collins (SME)

9 Jun 1968

A-12 art.#127/#930 deployed back to Groom Lake, NV from Kadena AB in 5 hrs, 29mins, CIA Pilot: Denny Sullivan (SME)

16 Jun 1968

D-21 #512 launched from B-52H and flew 2850 nmi, camera hatch recovered, but no camera was carried (LSW)

19 Jun 1968

Maj. Bill West writes poem for the 2 "slow" A-12 flights from Kadena AB to Groom Lake (SME)

21 Jun 1968

Last A-12 art. #131/#6937 flight, it was ferried from Groom Lake, NV to Palmdale, Ca; CIA Pilot: Frank Murray (SME; LSW; BB)

26 Jun 1968

"Black Shield" pilots: Jack Layton, Frank Murray, Ken Collins, Denny Sullivan, Mel Vojvodich, and the Widow of Jack Weeks receive CIA "Intelligence Star for Valor" medal at Groom Lake from the Director of the CIA VAdm Rufus Taylor (SME)

1 Jul 1968

D-21 #514 launched from B-52H and flew 80 nmi (LSW)

5 Jul 1968

High Time USAF SR-71 Pilot Robert Powell with 1,020.3 hrs; first flys an SR-71

26 Jul 1968

SR-71A #974 with USAF Pilot/RSO: Tony Bevacqua/ crew, positively fired on by SA-2 missile, it was photographed by the SRs cameras (SME)

28 Aug 1968

D-21 #516 launched from B-52H and flew 78 nmi (LSW)

Sep 1968

First in-air recall of SR-71 mission, USAF Pilot/RSO: James Shelton/ Lawrence Boggess (SME)

Sep 1968

Switched OL-8s SR-71s #974,#976,#978 with #962, #970, #980 (SME)

10 Oct 1968

SR-71A #977 crashes at Beale AFB, CA, (wheel hub fractured sending shrapnel into fuel tanks starting fire on take-off); USAF Pilot/RSO: Gabriel Kardong/ Jim Kogler ok (LSB)

2 Nov 1968

9th SRW receives Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for 1 Jul 1967-30 Jun1968 (LSB; BB)

Dec 1968

SR-71 Cat III Operational testing ends

15 Dec 1968

D-21 #515 launched from B-52H and flew 2953 nmi, camera hatch recovered, photos are "fair" (LSW)

11 Feb 1969

D-21 #518 launched from B-52H and flew 161 nmi (LSW)

5 Mar 1969

9th SRW receives 15th Air Force Outstanding Recon Crew (Pat Halloran/ Mort Jarvis) & Maintenance activity and Strategic Recon Wing Award for 1968 (9RW; PH)

14 Mar 1969

First flight of SR-71C #981, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Bob Gilliland/ Steven Belgau; (Now on display on at Hill AFB, UT); (SR-71C was built from half of static SR test model and rear half of crashed YF-12A #6934) (LSB; LSW; BB)

11 Apr 1969

SR-71A #954 crashes at Edwards AFB, CA, (during Max weight take-off test, left tire blew and caught the aircraft on fire), Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: William Skliar/ Noel Warner were ok (LSB; SME; LSW; PH)

27 Jun 1969

Col C. F. Minter 9th SRW Commander thru 30 Jun1970 (BB; 9RW)

10 Jul 1969

D-21 #520 launched from B-52H and flew 2937 nmi, camera pallet recovered, photos good (LSW)

Sep 1969

SAC SR-71s had flown over 100 "Hot missions" out of Kadena AB, Okinawa (LSW)

9 Nov 1969

First operational D-21 mission. D-21 #517 launched from B-52H, no camera pallet recovered (LSW)

11 Dec 1969

NASAs first YF-12 flight. YF-12A #6935, USAF Pilot/FCO: Col. Joseph Rogers/ Maj. Garry Heilbaugh (BIA; LSB; LSW)

18 Dec 1969

SR-71A #953 crashes near Shosone, CA; USAF Pilot/RSO: Col. Joe Rogers/ Lt. Col. Garry Heidelbaugh ejected (after loud explosion and loss of power and control difficulties, accident caused by a plugged static line) (LSW; SME; LSW; PH; WC)

16 Jan 1970

YF-12/SR-71 Test Force redesignated 4786 Test Squadron (LSB; BB)

13 Feb 1970

9th SRW, SR-71 crew receives 15th Air Force Aircrew of Year Award for 1969 (9RW)

20 Feb 1970

D-21 #521 launched from B-52H and flew 2969 nmi, camera pallet recovered, photos good (LSW)

1 Apr 1970

First NASA piloted YF-12 flight, NASA Pilot: Donald Mallick (LSW)

10 May 1970

SR-71A #969 crashes near Korat RTAFB, Thailand, USAF Pilot/RSO: William Lawson/ Gil Martinez (LSW; PH)

1 Jun 1970

Col. H. F. Confer, 9 SRW Commander thru 30 May1972 (9RW)

17 Jun 1970

SR-71A #970 crashes near El Paso, TX, (after striking KC-135Q during refueling); USAF Pilot/RSO: Buddy Brown/ Mort Jarvis (crew E-08) ejected and ok, along with the tanker and it's crew (LSB; LSW; PH)

30 Oct 1970

OL-8 (Kadena AB, Okinawa) redesignated OL-RK (Ryukyus, chain of islands Okinawa and Japan are in) (SME)

16 Dec 1970

Second operational D-21 mission. D-21 #523 launched from B-52H and flew 2448 nmi, no camera pallet recovered (LSW)

31 Dec 1970

Air Force Logistics Command took over Functional Flight Check for SR-71 and Det 51(Norton AFB) created; also Sacramento Air Logistics Center provides maintenance support for SR-71 (LSB; SME)

4 Mar 1971

Third operational D-21 mission. D-21 #526 launched from B-52H and flew 2935 nmi; camera pallet jettisoned, but not recovered (LSW)

20 Mar 1971

Fourth and last operational D-21 mission. D-21 #527 launched from B-52H and flew 2935 nmi; no camera pallet recovered (LSW)

23 Mar 1971

T-38 #91606 crashes on take-off; USAF Pilots: Jack Thornton survived, Jim Hudson killed (LSB)

1 Apr 1971

99 SRS inactivated as an SR-71 unit (LSB; BB)

26 Apr 1971

USAF Pilot/RSO: Thomas Estes/ Dewain Vick fly a SR-71 #968 15,000 miles in 10 hours 30 minutes non-stop (BB; RK)

24 Jun 1971

NASA YF-12A #6936 crashed at Edwards AFB, CA due to a fire in the right engine due to fatigued fuel line. NASA Pilot/RSO: Ronald Layton/ Bill Curtis (AM1; LSW)

30 Jun 1971

14 Strategic Aerospace Division takes command of 9 SRW

15 Jul 1971

Lockheed receives word of D-21 program cancellation (LSW)

16 Jul 1971

NASA receives YF-12C #937 (actually SR-71A #951)

26 Oct 1971

OL-RK redesignated OL-KA (Kadena AB, Okinanwa) (SME)

6 Jan 1972

9 SRW receives USAF Outstanding Unit Award for 1 Jul 1970- 30 Jun 1971 (9RW)

12 Jan 1972

4786 Test Sq inactivated (LSB)

15 May 1972

SR-71A #978 loses both AC generators while over Hanoi and by the time Pilot Tom Pugh got aux power on the SR had dropped to 41,000 ft and 1.1 mach; Tom Pugh/ Ron Rice landed safely at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand

31 May 1972

Col. J. F. O'Malley becomes 9 SRW Commander thru 9 May 1973 (9RW)

6 Jul 1972

SR-71A #955 flew a refueling flight envelope and "dry boom" contact checks on a boom equipped 747, USAF Pilot/RSO: Merv Evanson / Cos Mallozzi (SME)

18 Jul 1972

Thomas Estes/ Dewain Vick receive McKay Trophy for 15 hour record SR-71 flight on 26 April 1971

20 Jul 1972

SR-71A #978 "Rapid Rabbit" crashes at Kadena AB, (due to strong crosswinds), USAF Pilot/RSO: Denny Bush/ Jimmy Fagg ok (LSW; BB)

28 Jul 1972

SR-71A #975 flown for ECM cover for B-52 bombing missions (Linebacker) over Haipong & Hanoi; USAF Pilot: Dave Cobb/ Reg Blackwell (SME)

23 Jan 1973

9 SRW receives USAF Outstanding Unit Award for 1 Jul 1971-30 Jun 1972 (9RW)

10 May 1973

Col. P. J. Halloran 9 SRW Commander thru 29 Jan 1975 (9RW)

20 Sep 1973

President Nixon awards Thomas Estes/ Dewain Vick the Harmon International Aviator Award for their record flight on 26 April 1971

11 Oct 1973

SR-71A #979 Flown to Griffis AFB, NY for "Giant Reach" ops,USAF Pilot/ RSO: James Shelton/ Gary Coleman (BB)

12 Oct 1973

Middle east overflights from CONUS during Arab-Israeli Yom Kippur War from Griffis AFB, NY and Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC; 9 sorties were flown: Operation Giant Reach (BB)

13 Oct 1973

SR-71A #979, Flown in "Giant Reach" ops; USAF Pilot/RSO: James Shelton/ Gary Coleman (BB)

25 Oct 1973

SR-71A #979, Flown in "Giant Reach" ops; USAF Pilot/RSO: Al Joersz/ John Fuller (BB)

2 Nov 1973

SR-71A #979, Flown in "Giant Reach" ops; USAF Pilot/RSO: Bob Helt/ Larry Elliott; (left Griffis AFB, and returned to Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC) (BB)

11 Nov 1973

SR-71A #964, Flown in "Giant Reach" ops; USAF Pilot/RSO: Jim Wilson/ Bruce Douglas (BB)

15 Nov 1973

"Giant Reach" ops moved to Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC (OL-SB) (BB)

2 Dec 1973

SR-71A #964, Flown in "Giant Reach" ops;USAF Pilot/RSO: Jim Sullivan/ Noel Widdifield (BB)

10 Dec 1973

SR-71A #979, Flown in "Giant Reach" ops; USAF Pilot/RSO: Pat Bledsoe/ Reg Blackwell (BB)

21 Jan 1974

9 SRW Aircrew won 15th Air Force Recon Crew of Year Award

25 Jan 1974

SR-71A #971, Flown in "Giant Reach" ops; USAF Pilot/RSO: "Buck" Adams/ William Machorek (BB)

7 Mar 1974

SR-71A #979, Flown in "Giant Reach" ops; USAF Pilot/RSO: Ty Judkins/ G.T. Morgan (BB)

6 Apr 1974

SR-71A #979, Flown in "Giant Reach" ops; USAF Pilot/RSO: Lee Ransom/ Mark Gersten (BB)

30 Apr 1974

9 SRW Maintenance Complex receives 15th Air Force Haskell Grey Award for outstanding aircraft maintenance in 1973 (9RW)

9 Aug 1974

Det 1, 9 SRW activated at Kadena AB replacing OL-KA (SME; 9RW)

1 Sep 1974

First SR-71A visit to UK; setting World Record NY to London, 1817 mph, dist: 3490 nmi, in 1 hour 54 minutes 56.4 seconds in SR-71A #972, USAF Pilot/RSO: Jim Sullivan/Noel Widdifield (BB)

12 Sep 1974

First attempt to set London to LA record, returned due to oil light

13 Sep 1974

SR-71A #972 set World Record London to LA 5645 miles in 3 hours 47 min. 35.8 sec., USAF Pilot/RSO: "Buck" Adams/William Machorek (BB)

Jan 1975

Clarence "Kelly" Johnson retires as Head of the Skunk Works

6 Jan 1975

9 SRW selected Outstanding SAC Recon Organization for 1974 (9RW)

17 Jan 1975

Ben Rich becomes Head of the Skunk Works

18 Jan 1975

9 SRW won 15 Air Force Recon unit and Aircrew of Year

12 Mar 1975

OL-SB was inactivated at Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC

Apr 1975

TDY Operations start at RAF Mildenhall, UK (Det 4)(BB)

15 May 1975

SR-71A #976 flew in support of Mayaquez incident, USAF Pilot/RSO: B.C. Thomas/ Jay Reid

18 Jun 1975

Joseph T. Vida flies for the first time in a SR-71 as RSO; became High-time crew member with 1,392.7 hrs (BB)

30 Jun 1975

Col. J. H. Storrie becomes 9 SRW Commander thru 29 Sep 1977 (9RW)

20 Nov 1975

SR-71A #959 in "Big Tail" configuration does high speed taxi-tests, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Darrell Greenamyer/ Steven Belgau (SME)

3 Dec 1975

First flight of SR-71A #959 in "Big Tail" configuration, Lockheed Test Pilot/RSO: Darrell Greenamyer/ Steven Belgau (LSW)

20 Apr 1976

TDY ops started at RAF Mildenhall in SR-71A #972, USAF Pilot/RSO: Pat Bledsoe/ John Fuller (SME)

Apr 1976

First ops sortie from Det 4 in SR-71A #972, USAF Pilot/RSO: Maury Rosenberg/ Don Bulloch (SME)

30 Apr 1976

SR-71A #972, returned to Beale AFB, CA after 10 day deployment to RAF Mildenhall, UK (SME)

5 May 1976

First flight of SR-71A #959 in "Big Tail" configuration by USAF Pilot/ RSO: Tom Pugh/ Jim Carnochan

1 May 1976

USAF consolidates SR-71 and U-2 operations at Beale AFB, CA (9RW)

27 Jul 1976

SR-71A sets World Record Closed 100KM Course, Speed: 2092 mph, USAF Pilot/ RSO: A. Bledsoe/ John Fuller (LSB; LSW; BB)

28 Jul 1976

SR-71A #962 set an Altitude World Record of 85,068.997 ft, USAF Pilot/RSO: BobHelt/Larry Elliott (LSB; BB)

28 Jul 1976

SR-71A #958 set a World Straight 15 & 25 KM Course Record with a speed of 2193 mph, USAF Pilot/ RSO: Eldon Joersz/ George Morgan (LSB; BB)

4 Jul 1976

SR-71A #959 "Big Tail" flown to 3 Mach by USAF Pilot/RSO: Tom Pugh/ ???

6 Sep 1976

SR-71A #962 arrives at RAF Mildenhall, UK for a 12 day deployment (SME)

28 Oct 1976

Last Flight of SR-71A #963; (now on display at Beale AFB, CA flightline) (LSW)

29 Oct 1976

Last Flight of SR-71A #959 "Big Tail", USAF Pilot/RSO: Tom Pugh/ William Frazier; (Now on display at USAF Armament Museum, Eglin AFB, FL, (transported by trucked)) (SME; LSW)

7 Jan 1977

SR-71A #958 arrives at RAF Mildenhall for 10 day deployment (SME)

2 Feb 1977

Last Flight of SR-71A #961, was used as parts aircraft; (on display at Cosmosphere and Space Center, Hutcinson, KS) (LSW, JSS)

1 Sep 1977

Det 51 reorganized to Det 6, Norton AFB, CA reporting to 2762 Logistics Sq (LSB)

30 Sep 1977

Col. L. M. Kidder becomes 9 SRW Commander thru 31 Jan 1979 (9RW)

24 Feb 1978

9 SRW wins 15 Air Force Recon Unit of Year Award for 1977 (9RW)

31 Mar 1978

9 SRW awarded USAF Outstanding Unit Award for 1 Jul 1975- 30 Jun 1976 (9RW)

28 Sep 1978

Last and 88th Flight of NASA YF-12C (SR-71A #951) (LSW)

28 Oct 1978

YF-12C (SR-71A #951) retired from NASA (LSW)

7 Nov 1978

Cuban Overflights renewed thru Apr 1983 (BB)

1 Feb 1979

Col. F. Shelton 9 SRW Commander thru 16 Jul 1980 (9RW)

12 Mar 1979

SR-71A #972 arrives at Det 4 for recon of Saudi Arabia & Yeman tensions, USAF Pilot/RSO: Rich Graham/ Don Emmons (SME)

28 Mar 1979

SR-71A #972 returns to Beale AFB, CA after deployment to Det 4, USAF Pilot/ RSO: Rich Graham/ Dom Emmons (SME)

31 Mar 1979

Det 4(RAF Mildenhall) activated (LSB; BB)

17 Apr 1979

SR-71A #979 deployed to Det 4 till 2 May (SME)

18 Oct 1979

SR-71A #976 deployed to Det 4 till 13 Nov (SME)

31 Oct 1979

Last Flight of NASA YF-12A #6935, and end of flight test program (BB)

7 Nov 1979

The last remaining YF-12A #6935 flown to USAF Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH; Pilot/RSO: Jim Sullivan/Uppstrum (AM1; LSW; BB)

18 May 1980

Mt. St. Helens disaster relief flights (LSB; BB)

1 Jul 1980

SR-71A #962 flies from Kadena AB to Diego Garcia to test facility, USAF Pilot/ RSO: BobCrowder/ Don Emmons (SME; RG)

Aug 1980

Honeywell starts conversion of analog flight & inlet control system(AFICS) to digital automatic flight & inlet control system(DAFICS) (SME)

Oct 1980

SR-71A #955 flys S-Band Space Transponder to evaluate C-Band tracking, communication & navigation system for Space Shuttle (LSB)

6 Mar 1981

SR-71A #972 deployed to det 4 till 5 May 1981 (SME)

6 May 1981

Refueling tests with KC-10 #N110KC and SR-71A #955, USAF Pilot/RSO: Calvin Jewett/Bill Flanagan (SME)

1 Aug 1981

4029 Strategic Recon Training Sq formed to train SR-71 crews (BB)

12 Aug 1981

SR-71A #964 had to divert to Bodo, Norway, with low engine oil problem arose, USAF Pilot/RSO: B.C. Thomas/ Jay Reid (SME)

16 Aug 1981

SR-71A #964 returned from being diverted to Bodo, Norway, was nicknamed "Bodonian Express" USAF Pilot/RSO: B. C. Thomas/ Jay Reid (LSB; SME)

31 Aug 1981

C. L. "Kelly" Johnson announces that the SR-71 has had over 1000 missiles launches against it, but none successful (BB)

15 Jan 1982

SR-71B #956 flies it's 1000th Sortie (LTR)

24 Feb 1982

9 SRW wins the 15 Air Force Outstanding Recon Wing and Crew for 1981 (9RW)

Jun 1982

Internal Navigation System(INS) changed to Singer-Kearfott SKN-2417 from the gyro flight reference system (SME)

20 Jul 1982

Col. T. S. Pugh becomes 9 SRW Commander thru 22 Jul 1983 (9RW)

17 Mar 1983

SR-71A # 955 conducted aerial refueling tests with KC-10, USAF Pilot/ RSO: Thomas Tilden/ J.T. Vida (SME)

18 Apr 1983

SAC awards the 9 SRW the Outstanding Unit Award for 1 Jul 1981 thru 20 Jun 1982 (9RW)

1 Jul 1983

SR-71A #955 flies the first ASARS-1 familiarization flight, USAF Pilot/ RSO: B.C. Thomas/ John Morgan (SME)

9 Jul 1983

SR-71A #955 arrives at Det 4, as #962, to test ASARS-1 (SME)

23 Jul 1983

Col. D. H. Pinsky becomes 9 SRW Acting Commander thru 3 Aug 1983 (9RW)

4 Aug 1983

Col. G. V. Freese becomes 9 SRW Commander thru 28 Jan 1985 (9RW)

10 Nov 1983

9 SRW awarded Best Active Duty Tanker Unit and best unit in SAC Bombing and Navigation competition (9RW)

5 Apr 1984

British Government announces that they will permit 2 SR-71s to be based at RAF Mildenhall, UK(Det 4) (SME)

1 Nov 1984

9 SRW Tanker crew awarded the Navigation Trophy in the SAC Bombing and Navigation Competition (9RW)

7 Nov 1984

First Nicaraguan SR-71 overflights from Beale AFB; USAF Pilot/RSO: Bob Behler/ Ron Tabor (flew 3 of 6 sorties) (SME; BB)

24 Jan 1985

Last flight and 722nd sortie of SR-71A #955, USAF Pilot/RSO: Thomas Tilden/ Bill Flanagan (SME)

28 Jan 1985

Col. D. H. Pinsky becomes 9 SRW Commander thru 17 Jul 1987 (9RW)

28 Jan 1985

SR-71A #955 did runway roughness evaluation then was parked at Palmdale, CA; USAF Pilot/RSO: Thomas Tilden/Bill Flanagan; (now on display at USAF Flight Test Center museum, Edwards AFB, CA) (SME; LSW)

20 Apr 1985

Gen Jerry O'Malley & wife Diane and Crew of T-39 were killed when landing in Western Pennsylvania (SME)

8 Aug 1985

SR barns at RAF Mildenhall used for the first time by SR-71A #962 (LSB)

18 Sep 1985

USAF Awards Jerome F. O'Malley Award for Best Recon Crew to USAF Pilot/RSO: Bob Behler/ Ron Tabor (9RW; PH)

Nov 1985

Honeywell completes conversion of SR from analog to digital auto. flight & inlet controls systems (SME)

7 Jan 1986

20th Anniversary of the SR-71s arrival at Beale AFB, CA

8 Feb 1986

9 SRW won 15th Air Force Outstanding Recon Wing for 1985 (9RW)

15 Apr 1986

SR-71A #980 performs post bombing damage assessment flights of Libya in support of Operation "Eldorado Canyon", USAF Pilot/RSO: Jerry Glasser/ Ron Tabor (SME; BB)

15 Apr 1986

First operational use of KC-10s(#30079; #30082; #30075) as refueling aircraft for SR-71 (TU; LSB; SME)

16 Apr 1986

SR-71A #960 performs post bombing damage assessment flights of Libya in support of Operation "Eldorado Canyon", USAF Pilot/RSO: Brian Shul/ Walter Watson (BB; TU)

17 Apr 1986

SR-71A #980 performs post bombing damage assessment flights of Libya in support of Operation "Eldorado Canyon", USAF Pilot/RSO: Bernie Smith/ Denny Whalen (BB; TU)

17 Jul 1987

Col. R. H. Graham becomes 9 SRW Commander thru 28 Nov 1988 (9RW)

21 Jul 1987

Last Flight of SR-71A #973; (Now on display at Blackbird Airpark, Palmdale, CA) (LSW)

22 Jul 1987

Persian Gulf missions from Det 4; SR-71A #967; USAF Pilot/RSO: Smith/ Doug Soifer

• 9 Aug 1987: SR-71A #975
• 26 Oct 1987: SR-71A #967
• 30 Apr 1988: SR-71A #974 (BB)

20 Oct 1987

USAF Pilot/RSO: Warren MacKendree/ Randy Shelhorse fly from Kadena AB to Iran on a Giant Express mission to look for Silkworm missile batteries in Iran during Iran-Iraq War (SME)

5 Mar 1988

1 Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron celebrates 75th Anniversary, it is the oldest unit in the USAF (AFM)

6 Dec 1988

Col J. S. Savarda becomes 9 SRW Commander thru 12 Jun 1990 (9RW; BB)

21 Apr 1989

SR-71A #974 crashes off coast of Philippines, last SR lost by USAF crew (to date), USAF Pilot/RSO: Dan House/Blair Bozek (SME; LSW)

1 Oct 1989

USAF SR-71 operations suspended except for minimum proficiency flights (LSW; BB)

22 Nov 1989

USAF SR-71 program officially terminated (Thanks Larry Welch) (SME; LSW; BB)

21 Jan 1990

Last SR-71 #962 left Kadena AB(Det 1) for Beale AFB, at 0500, Tail art: A tombstone which read: "Det 1 RIP 1968-1990" (BM)

26 Jan 1990

SR-71 is decommissioned at Beale AFB, CA (LSW)

26 Jan 1990

Last Flight of SR-71A #960 (this was the high mission SR) from Beale AFB, CA to Castle AFB, CA; USAF Pilot/RSO: Steven Grzebiniak/ Jim Greenwood (LSW)

12 Feb 1990

Last flight of SR-71A #968, Beale AFB to Palmdale, CA, (now on display at Virginia Aviation Museum, Richmond, VA) (LSW; DA)

14 Feb 1990

Last flight of SR-71As #962 & #967, Beale AFB to Palmdale, CA, was in flyable storage at AF Plant 2; #967 now being flown by USAF Det 2, Edwards AFB, CA (LSW)

23 Feb 1990

Last Flight of SR-71A #958 (holds World Speed Record set 27-28 July '76), Beale AFB to Robins AFB, GA, USAF Pilot/RSO: Don Watkins/ Bob Fowlkes (LSW)

28 Feb 1990

Last Flight of SR-71A #975, Beale AFB to March AFB, CA, USAF Pilot: Steven Grzebiniak/ Jim Greenwood (LSW)

6 Mar 1990

SR-71A #972 Last Flight and sets 4 World Records, Palmdale, Ca to Dulles Intl. Airport; USAF

• US Coast to Coast (2086nmi): 67m. 54 s for 2124.5 mph
• Los Angeles to Washington, DC (1998 nmi): 64 m. 54 s. for 2144.8 mph
• Kansas City to Washington, DC (942.08nmi): 25 m 58.53s for 2176 mph
• St. Louis to Cincinnati, OH (311.44 nmi): 8 m 31.97s for 2189.94 mph
  (LSW; BB)

6 Mar 1990

Last Flight of SR-71A #979, Beale AFB to Lackland AFB, TX; USAF Pilot/ RSO: Steven Grzebiniak/ Stanley Gudmundson (LSW)

20 Mar 1990

Last Flight of SR-71A #964, Beale AFB to Offutt AFB, NE; USAF Pilot/ RSO: Terry Pappas/ Mike Finan (LSW; BB)

27 Mar 1990

Last Flight of SR-71A #976 , Beale AFB to USAF Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH;USAF Pilot/RSO: Don watkins/ Bob Fowlkes (this SR flew first operational sortie 21 Mar 1968) (LSW; BB; PH)

22 Dec 1990

Clarence "Kelly" Johnson dies at the age of 80

23 Dec 1990

Ben Rich retires as the Head of the Skunk Works

1 Jul 1991

NASA Pilot: Steve Ishmael initial flight in SR-71B #956 (BB)

25 Jul 1991

SR-71B #956(NASA #831) Officially delivered to NASA Dryden, Edwards AFB, CA (BB)

Oct 1991

Marta Bohn-Mayer becomes first Female SR crew-member (BB)

27 Oct 1991

A-12 art. #128/#6931 delivered to Minnesota ANG Museum, by NY ANG C-5 (SME; JG)

19 Sep 1992

Joseph T. Vida (high time SR Crew member) passes away (RG)

9 Mar 1993

NASA's first flight test in SR-71 (LSW)

28 Sep 1994

Congress votes to allocate $100 million for reactivation of 3 SR-71s (RG)

5 Jan 1995

Ben Rich dies at the age of 69 (AWST)

12 Jan 1995

SR-71A NASA #832 (USAF #971) flown from Edwards AFB, CA to Palmdale, CA for overhaul before USAF "borrows" it; NASA Pilot/RSO: Steve Ishmael/ Marta Bohn-Mayer (AFNS; LS)

Mar 1995

ACC selected three crews for the reactivation of the SR-71, Pilots: Gil Luloff, Tom McCleary, Don Watkins; and RSOs: Blair Bozek, Michael Finan, Jim Greenwood (RG)

26 Apr 1995

SR-71A #971 (ex-NASA #832) flown for the first time after reactivation and renovation at Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, CA; NASA Crew: Ed Schneider, Marta Bohn-Meyer; Sortie #1054-1; Low and slow (AS #1)

28 Jun 1995

First reactivated SR-71 returns to USAF inventory, Dennis E. Thompson (Lockheed) presented SR-71 #971 to Gen. Bill Rutledge (9RW CO) in a ceremony at Air Force Plant 42 (AFNS; AWST)

30 Jun 1995

First USAF crew flies reactivated SR-71 #971

25 Jul 1995

First solo USAF (Lt. Cols. Gil Luloff, Mike Finan) crew flies reactivated SR-71 #971; 80,100 ft at Mach 3.23 for 2.5 hours; Sortie #1060-7 (AS #1)

28 Aug 1995

SR-71A #967 makes "maiden" flight after being refurbished by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works; NASA crew: Ed Scneider, Bob Meyer; Sortie #854-1; Low and slow (LS & AS #1)

29 Aug 1995

Crew #1 Mission Ready (MR) Lt. Cols. Luloff and Finan (AS #1)

17 Jan 1996

Lt. Cols. Don Watkins and Jim Greenwood make solo flight in SR- 71A #971; 80,100 ft at Mach 3.25 for 2.5 hour, Sortie #105-22, from Palmdale, CA (AS #1)

30 Jan 1996

SR-71 #967 Leaves Palmdale and arrives at Edwards AFB, CA Det2/ 9RW at approx. 1:30pm; after a 1.5 hour flight; USAF Pilot/RSO: Tom McCleary/ Michael Finan (TL)

1 Feb 1996

Second aircraft delivered to Det. 2/ 9 RW, Edwards AFB, CA from Palmdale, CA; SR-71A #971; USAF Pilot/RSO: Lt. Cols. Tom McCleary/ Mike Greenwood; 77,200 ft at Mach 3.05 for 2.7 hours (AS #1)

15 Feb 1996

SR-71 #967 First flight test of real time data transmission at Det 2; USAF Pilot/RSO: Lt. Cols. Tom McCleary/Mike Finan; 72,700 ft at Mach 3.01 for 3.1 hours (AS #1 & AWST)

15 Apr 1996

Deputy Defense Secretary John White, directed the Air Force to ground the Air Force's SR-71s due to conflicting language in section 304 of the National Security Act of 1947, and Section 102 of the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY-96 ( -Inside the Air Force; RG; AWST)

21 Sep 1996

House and Senate Appropriation committees have agreed to fund the Air Force's 2 operational SR-71s for Fiscal Year 1997. (-RG; RON)

1 Jan 1997

SR-71 and crews are operational at Det 2, Edwards AFB, CA (RG; AFNS)

18 Apr 1997

Col. Charles Simpson assumes command of 9th RW, from Brig. Gen Robert Behler (SS)

19 Aug 1997

The first new Air Force SR-71 crew in nine years soloed today at Det 2 Edwards AFB, CA. Major Bert Garrison(Pilot) and Capt. Domingo Ochotorena(RSO) (SS)

26 Aug 1997

NASA mated the LASRE engine with NASA SR-71 #844 (PM; RON)

Sep 1997

Second new crew was selected to fly the SR-71; Capt Greg Barker(Pilot), Capt Dale Zimmerman(RSO) (RG)

15 Oct 1997

President Clinton Kills SR Funding with Line Item Veto (RG, AH, ABC News)

31 Oct 1997

NASA SR-71 #844 (AF #980/Lockheed #2031) Flew for the first time with the Aerospike engine piggybacked on it, this is the first in a series of flights in the LASRE (Linear Aerospike and SR-71 Experiment). It reached a speed of Mach 1.19 at an altitude of 27,000-33,000 ft. (NASA, AWST)

30 June 1999

Final shutdown of the SR-71 Program, Det 2 is shutdown, officially ending the USAF SR-71 Program

15 Apr 2002

Lockheed Martin delivers the first RAMP (Reconnaissance Avionics Maintainability Program) modified U-2S to the 9 RW and Beale AFB, CA (LM)