RECOLLECTIONS
FROM THE PAST Guest Book Entries for 2011
Leland Haynes passed away on November 26, 2010. I was honored that he and his family asked that I continue keeping this web site going after he passed. Since he passed away, there have been no postings to the Guestbook/Alma Mater page, because all submissions went to his personal email address, to which I had no access.
The following guestbook entries were submitted after Leland Haynes passed away, and until July 2013 remained archived. I was finally able to retrieve these messages, and have posted them here on this page. I apologize that some of these messages may not be timely, but I am at least happy that they have not been lost forever.
- David Allison (www.habu.org) on behalf of Leland Haynes and family
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 ensure
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 make an
entry in:
There are Eighteen 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
Search the entire 232 web
pages of the "SR-71 Blackbirds" Web Site:
2011 Guest Book Entries
Updated July 28, 2013
"Eagles may
soar, but weasels do not get sucked into jet engines."
Dec 18 2011,
7:52 pm, CST MSgt Tom Cunningham writes:
Just a shout out to a few of my mentors at that time (1986-1989) they were TSgt Dieter McLaughlin and SSgt James Luker. Thanks for all you did, I hope you both are doing well. Thanks! Tom
Tom Cunningham
tcunningham7@ymail.com
Dec 13 2011,
11:22 am, PDT Sgt Guy Piche writes:
I crewed the SR from 1968-70 with two tours at OL8 in Okinowa. I am interested in finding / purchasing a hat or patch from the SR and those days.
I would be happy to purchase it.
Guy Piche
gvpiche@frontiernet.net
Sat, Oct 8 2011,
5:49 pm, CDT Sgt Jim Cartwright writes:
9th OMS ground crew from 07-68 to discharge 04-70. Kadena Okinawa (TDY) 09-69 to 01-70
Jim Cartwright
jcart47@gmail.com
Sep 28 2011,
1:17 am, PDT A1C Bob Good writes:
I was with the SR71 from 74-77. 9th FMS Machinist. Would be great to hear from anyone from that time period.
Bob Good
rgood56@comcast.net
Sep 19 2011,
11:08 am, EDT SSgt Philip Purpera writes:
1976-77 worked in the data recorder shop. We would download our tapes on the flight line right after landing. I always felt very patriotic and proud to be part of this mission. Loaded tapes on speed record flight: East to West Coast. Played on base softball team at Beale.
Chip Purpera
chip.purpera.b3a3@statefarm.com
Aug 21 2011,
12:28 pm, MDT SSgt Francis J. Dewey, Jr. writes:
The blackbird was my first assignment in the Air Force. It was the best assignment I had. I worked in operations with CMSGT Billy Pryor. My first Wing Commander was Col. Patrick Halloran. I miss those days, it was the best part of my life.
I have read all I can find on the internet and feel it is time to write a book from the maintenance perspective. I was a member of the EMR shop at Beale and DET 1. If anyone would be interested to contribute stories, limericks, anecdotes, or just plain fun occurrences please feel free to e-mail me.
I am also looking for anyone who was stationed at either Beale or DET1 between 1976 and 1987 and associated with DEF/EMR.
Barney Schwartz
barndog1946@gmail.com
May 29 2011,
8:58 am, EST SMSgt Ron Brooks writes:
I was stationed at Beale AFB from 1969 thru 1973 and worked in the 9th OMS Support Branch. I served almost 18 months TDY time in Okinawa and loved every minute of it. I installed a lot of drag chutes, serviced liquid nitrogen, and T.E.B. not to mention a lot of fuel that would eventually leak out. Good years and I miss it.
Ron Brooks
phantomron@bellsouth.net
Apr 16 2011,
7:20 pm, EDT MSgt Eric Hanninen writes:
Need to update my email address. Thanks.
Eric Hanninen
ehanninen@verizon.net
March 24 2011,
12:52 pm, EST MSgt Wayne McQueen writes:
I worked as an AGE troop delivering those damn heaters to the SR71's and all that other equipment that they needed. I was stationed at Mildenhall from 1984 to 1987 and I was there when they had a demonstrator get inside the cockpit of one and it took the cops about 3 hours to get him out of it!!!
Those were the days!! We used to work the KC135 refuelers first then we knew that the blackbird was going out next! Man that bird used to shake the AGE hangar doors and windows when it took off and kicked on the afterburners.
Wayne McQueen
wayne.mcqueen.1@us.af.mil
March 12 2011,
10:43 pm, EST Civ. William Lange writes:
In the mid 1970's, I had the opportunity to fly with Col. Al Hichew. Al was my F/O on a Florida Airlines DC-3 commuter airline flying in Florida and Georgia. I was 27 years old and felt really humbled to have such an excellent pilot like Col. Al Hichew as my F/O.
William Lange
cheryld.williamh@yahoo.com
Feb 26 2011,
11:25 pm, CST SRA Eugene Martin writes:
SR-71 crew chef 1986 to 1990 at Kadena AFB. Had a short stay in the ARC . I loved my place on the flightline with the best friend a man could have. First and foremost is John E. MacDonald (miss you bud), Rich White, Paul Sights.
TDY to Beale AFB, then spent 3 years on the flight line as an aircraft chrew chief. Trained by Lovell Jackson. A special thanks to David Aquino, Rex Rubinos, Amanda Caldwell-Shumacher. Was there 86 to 90, loved and miss it all!!!
Gene Martin
gene_martin1965@yahoo.com
Feb 11 2011,
10:32 am, CST CMSgt J. C. Brazell writes:
In my Sep 1, 2009 entry, I incorrectly stated remembering Col Speer bringing the first SR-71 to Beale. I should have said Col Doug Nelson brought the first SR-71A to Beale. Col Speer was the Wing Vice Commander at the time.
J.C. Brazell
jcbrazell@satx.rr.com Editor's note: the original entry has been corrected.
Feb 1 2011,
10:34 pm, CST TSgt William T Posey writes:
I was stationed at Beale from 1978-79, Det 1 Kadeana 1979-82, 17th 1986-90 SLR shop. I have very fond memories of all assignments. Met some great folks & still stay in contact with some, I wish I could more.
Terry Posey
txafblue@yahoo.com
Jan 19 2011,
11:06 am, PST SSgt Robert M. Tatroe, Sr. writes:
I was proud to say I was stationed at Beale from Nov. 1966 to Oct. 1974. I worked on The blackbird as a machinist. I made four trips to Okinawa and had a tour in Nam at DaNang before I was done. I remember like it was yesterday when the SR became operational and the day we set the speed record. There were a lot of good people that kept the SR flying. I also remember cutting one apart that crashed at the end of the runway. That was not a good day. I am currently a manufacturing manager for an aerospace manufacturing company in Phoenix. I was sorry to see all the crosses and would like to take this time to say a prayer for all the men who have left us. God Bless
Bob Tatroe
ktat553@cox.net
Mon, Jan 17 2011,
11:49 am, PST TSgt Douglas R. Taylor writes:
I spent 10 years on the SR-71 stationed at Beale AFB. I was on bouth speed runs with the HABU and was also TDY at almost all of the locations. The best 10 years of my military career!
Doug Taylor
douglas4764@sbcglobal.net
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.
Do you 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 you are on to see if the individual has left a message.
3.When you contact Jack
Madison the first time:
You
MUST include "Blackbird
Association Membership"
in the subject
line
YourName
and Affiliation
with the Blackbirds (SR-71 or U-2).
Your
Complete Home Mailing Address. Please
ensure the address is correct in all aspects. Sending just your E-Mail address
is not sufficient.
SR-71
ALMA MATER
RECOLLECTIONS
FROM THE PAST
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.