The SR-71 Blackbird

SR-71 Blackbird News/Events

Here's a listing of some notable Blackbird missions. Some that changed history.

Also, at times various museum and other organizations hold special events to discuss and educate the public on the Blackbird program.

SR-71A First Flight
22 December 1964

SR-71A First Flight

The first flight of an SR-71 took place at the Air Force Plant 32, Palmdale, Calforinia

First Flight of M21 (SR-71) Carrying D-21 Drone)
22 December 1964

First Flight of M21 (SR-71) Carrying D-21 Drone)

First Flight of SR-71 and M-21 carrying D-21 drone

First Operational Black Shield Mission over Vietnam
31 May 1967

First Operational Black Shield Mission over Vietnam

Mel Vojvodich (CIA) flew A12 #937 out of Kadena on the First Operational Black Shield Mission.

21 March 1968

First Operational Sortie from Det 1, Kadena

On 21 March 1968, USAF SR-71 #974 flew the First Operational sortie over Vietnam, piloted by Jerry O'Malley and RSO Ed Paine.

02 May 1972

The SR-71 Secret Sonic Boom Message Over Vietnam

In 1964 during the Vietnam War U.S. aviators were captured by the North Vietnamese. Paul F Crickmore shares the story of how two SR-71 Blackbirds generated tri-sonic booms to free captured US prisoners of war in his book Lockheed Blackbird: Beyond the Secret Missions (Revised Edition).

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