RECOLLECTIONS
FROM THE PAST Guest Book Entries for 2012
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:
2012 Guest Book Entries
Updated July 28, 2013
"Eagles may
soar, but weasels do not get sucked into jet engines."
Dec 14 2012,
2:50 pm, PST TSgt George S. Gilbert writes:
Beale AFB (Jan 1978 thru Aug 1981) 9th AMS, Avionics Instrument Technician. TDY to Kadena (Nov 1978) and Mildenhall (April 1980) Favorite tail numbers were 972 and 956.
George Gilbert
gdspecialties@comcast.net
Nov 13 2012,
3:25 pm, EDT CMSgt Eugene Richardson writes:
Ran Plans and Scheduling and Maint. Control, 1988.
Eugene Richardson
graywolf1000@hotmail.com
Nov 8 2012,
6:44 pm, EDT Sgt Dan Goodwin writes:
Just checking to see if the site is still active. Can't see anything newer than 2008. Let me know if there's a new Secret Squirrel way to see if there's a way to view newer content, sir.
My Dad, retired T/Sgt. Bob Goodwin, just passed away @ 83, so I'm wanting to get in touch with my old Habu buddies from my tour @ Beale, Oki, and Mildenhall.
Detective Sgt. Dan Goodwin
mp5buzz@hotmail.com
Sep 27 2012,
2:55 pm, PDT SSgt Bernard Welch writes:
Served in the 9TH OMS from 1966 thru 1969, AFSC 43151C. Call Out to John Neal, Charles Perry, Dennis Merkel, Lance Volk and everyone in the 9TH OMS. Recall the T.E.B. service required at pre flight? Those were really nice suits to wear...I preferred working the engine station...the cart was boring! Fun times for any eighteen year old!
Bernie Welch
bernie.welch@goodcook.com
Sep 5 2012,
11:21 am, CDT MSgt Don Person writes:
It has been several years since Fran and I attended the Blackbird Reunion in Reno. I have finally retired and am looking forward to getting back in touch with old friends. I was the original crew chief on 17969 back in 1966 and stayed with the SR-71 from 1965 to 70 at Beale, attended 4 reunions, but working full time as MCAIR/Boeing advisor to Naval Reserve HQ on F/A-18 Hornets was unable to attend reunions. Notice your web site has not been updated.
Don Person
dmperson@bellsouth.net
July 29 2012,
5:48 pm, PDT MSgt Ralph Brigida writes:
I was stationed at Beale AFB and assigned to the 9th RTS from 1965-1968. I was the base engine manager for the SR-71 with FMS. We were shipped over to Vietnam in 1966-1967 and assigned to SAC SARPF. Anyone from that era?
Ralph Brigida
rbrigida@hotmail.com
June 27 2012,
4:09 pm, EDT E-3 Mike Boerner writes:
I was stationed at Beale AFB from 1972-73. I was a jet engine mechanic in the 9th FMS.
Frank Cott
f_cott@yahoo.com
June 3 2012,
5:48 pm, PDT SSgt Laverne A. Jones writes:
Very best assignment ever 1982-1986 - Det 4 9SRW
Laverne Jones
lajones47@yahoo.com
May 20 2012,
1:41 pm, EDT Sue Snyder writes:
LtCol Gary Coleman has passed away.
My dad, Lt. Col Gary Coleman was a RSO on the SR-71 and passed away last month. I have been browsing the internet reading about the SR-71 as a way to learn more about my dad and what he did while RSO on the beautiful blackbird.
Sue Snyder
sas95991@comcast.net
May 16 2012,
6:30 pm, PDT SSgt Dave Meckman writes:
Served with 9TH Recce Tech from 1978 to 1981 as a computer op with trips to Kadena and "Moldy Hole" ABs.
Dave Beckman
davefenix@yahoo.com
Apr 20 2012,
7:50 am, PDT Sgt John Cox writes:
I was stationed @ Beale from 1966 to 1970 and was in P.O.L. base fuels supply. Worked many night shift hours in the SR-71 hangars. I was a very lucky 19-year-old to have had the opportunity to be a part of the support team for the SR-71.
John Cox
kandjcox@wavecable.com
Apr 11 2012,
12:25 pm, EDT TSgt Maurice (Moe) Works writes:
My last post on this site was 1999. I worked in the Pneudraulic shop from 1976-1980 when I retired. I worked for the Lockheed skunk works after retirement and am currently living in Thailand 35 miles east of Bangkok. Would love to hear from some of the guys I worked with. Tsgt Dave Krichner, Tsgt Donald Seurer, Tsgt Ronald Smith. HABU!!! I changed my email address also.
M.L. (Moe) Works
pride545@hotmail.com
Feb 27 2012,
6:42 pm, EST E-3 Mike Kitchell writes:
Worked on the SR-71 @ Beale during yrs 1970-72, was an Environmental Control Tech. Loved it. Hope they have an SR-71 reunion at Kalamazoo Michigan Museum sometime.
Mike Kitchell
mikecmt@comcast.net
Feb 21 2012,
6:31 pm, PST Sgt Angela Rotundo writes:
Was stationed at Beale AFB, CA as a jet mechanic 1978-1981, 9th FMS. Worked on the SR during TDY at Okinawa. Have picture in SR library in one of the books, but haven't seen it, only was told about it. Hopefully someone here will know where the books are.
Angela Rotundo
angela.rotundo@yahoo.com
Feb 2 2012,
2:15 pm, PST SSgt Archie Pilkington writes:
I was assst. crew chief on 959 and helped out on 956 along with all the rest on that end of the hangars. I was there from Jan.1969 thru May 1970. I would have probably have stayed in but I worked for E8 that was very overbearing. Did miss it after I left, but life goes on and I did acheive alot during my working years.
Archie Pilkington
pilkstoy@cox.net
Jan 28 2012,
2:30 pm, PST LtCol A.D. Woodrow writes:
Currently the Commander of PSD (PSPTS); formerly a PSD Tech with Sled time between '83-'89 at Beale, Det 1, Det 4 and points between. Searching for photos of PSD in action during integration and recovery of the Blackbird. Please let me know if you have any we can include with our heritage hallway!
Andy Woodrow
hfprof@mac.com
Jan 27 2012,
1:53 pm, EST SSgt Dave Leach writes:
Stationed at Beale and Kadena from 79 through 82 in AMS SLR shop. Love to hear from anyone.
Dave Leach
leachdave32@yahoo.com
Mon, Jan 16 2012,
9:35 am, EST Sgt Rusty Gibson writes:
9th Avionics Maintenance Squadron 1977-1980. Worked on Side Looking Radar manufactured by Goodyear. 3 trips to Okinawa and 3 trips to Mildenhall England. Designed and printed the "skunkworks T-shirt" in England one trip.
Rusty Gibson
rustysr71@yahoo.com
Jan 7 2012,
4:08 am, EST SMSgt John M. Dark writes:
SMSgt. John M. Dark is approaching 91 yrs. old. Understand we were there around 1964 to 1969 as head NCO of maint records of SR's. Anyone at that time frame please call as he would like to talk to you.
John Dark
jtdflow08@yahoo.com
+1-318-742-3884 / 318-834-5474
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
LtCol Gary Coleman has passed away.
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.