Blackbird Weekend at March Field Air Museum

The SR-71 was operational from 1968 through 1990 and flew for the last time in 1999. (Below) Audiences gathered inside the main museum hangar to hear retired Blackbird pilots exchange stories about their times in the cockpit of the world’s fastest aircraft. (From left to right) Col. Buz Carpenter, USAF Retired, Col. Ken Collins, USAF Retired, B.C. Thomas, Test Pilot and Randy Wolfgang, (U.S. Air Force photos by TSgt Joe Davidson)

Blackbird Weekend at March Field Air Museum

Published April 13, 2009
By Technical Sgt. Joe Davidson
452 AMW/Public Affairs

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. -- Hundreds of people visited March Field Air Museum Mar. 28 and 29 to get up close to see and touch the legendary SR-71 Blackbird.

Audiences gathered inside the main museum hangar to hear retired Blackbird pilots exchange stories about their times in the cockpit of the world's fastest aircraft.

Declared operationally ready in 1968, aerial reconnaissance literally was taken to new heights. Reaching altitudes in excess of 85,000 feet and reaching speeds of more than three and a half times the speed of sound, the aircraft remained unchallenged until it was retired in 1990.

In 1994 three SR-71s were reactivated and briefly returned to service. But in 1997, The program was once again canceled. The Blackbird flew for the last time in 1999.