Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at 12:48 MSgt Vernon Duncan (ret.) Writes:

Any of the folks I worked with in Okinawa from July 82 until July 87.(Ed Whiteman, you out there?)

MSgt Vernon Duncan (ret.)

Email: waree.duncan@att.net

Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at 06:50 Maj FC Prasse Writes: Great website about the SR and all the folks associated with getting both of the Beale "blackbirds" on the mission and back home. Definitely evoked a lot of memories scanning through the guestbook. I noted Rich Graham as a frequent visitor -- Rich and his RSO, "Snake" Emmons, were frequently in the same rotational cycle as my aircrew (9 AREFS, Crew 171) in the KC-135Q.

I remember one evening Rich, another 135 AC, and I were in the O Club at Mildenhall and we concocted the plan to set the boom-to-boom record for a refuel (shall we say a "slightly" modified AR formation?). I think we did a pretty good job -- #1 disconnect to #2 connect in 25 seconds as I recall. I still think we could have done it in 15-20 seconds had we ever had the chance to do it again. Then there's the 135 3G post AR "clear track" maneuver (fastest 180 you'll ever see a tanker do)... And of course, Club 101 (our quarters) at Kadena -- the only place the the world that served peanut butter daiquiris (until the blender burned up)... Oh, yeah, the notorious "Beale Bandits" also stole the Kadena base commander's staff car (along with anything else that wasn't nailed down). I remember the Kadena O Club Christmas wreath made the trip back to Beale one year; we hung it outside the AC's window when we pulled into the chocks for the traditional Beale welcome home.

After my stint at Beale in the late '70s as AC in a KC with over 1,000 hours in the 135Q, I went back to instructing in the T-38 (totaling over 12 years flying the White Rocket).

Maj FC Prasse

Email: fc@prasse.org

Sunday, October 23, 2005 at 01:28 SSgt Kevin Matsumoto Writes:

376 OMS Kadena AB 1970-72 

SSgt Kevin Matsumoto

Email: kevin_matsumoto@verizon.net

Sunday, October 16, 2005 at 18:20 Sgt William Douglas Writes: 

I was assigned to the 824th Security Police Squadron in March 1967 the first SR71's arrived at Kadena Air Base some of the Security Police were assigned to Project Little Creek we secured the Flight Line and Hangers area for the SR71,s on Habu Hill.

Sgt William Douglas

Email: douglasfilm@yahoo.com

Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 19:03 SSgt James Williams Writes:

I was stationed at Beale from January 1983 till March 1986. I was assigned to the 9th FMS Jet Engine Shop Flight Line and also worked out of the phase dock. However not assigned to the SR71 I did work on the KC135 and the T38. I lived off base at Wheatland and would love to hear from anyone stationed there at that time. Al Obst, Curtis Pruitt just to name a couple.

Great WEB site!

SSgt James Williams

Email: MIGGUN5@aol.com

Thursday, October 13, 2005 at 09:42 SSgt/Maj Andy Woody Woodrow Writes: 

Entered the program as a PSD tech in '82...came full circle back to Beale as the Flight Commander for PSD (without the HABU). Recall the filming of 'Call to Glory' a short lived 80's show...Craig T Nelson (lead roll), other cast and crew gather a few techs together and dressed-out in 60's AF uniforms..pretty cool to see the images we lived daily now depicted on television as a drama.

SSgt/Maj Andy Woody Woodrow

Email: hfprof@mac.com

Oklahoma City police Lt. Don Holland said the aircraft, a Giles G-300, had just left Clarence E. Page Municipal Airport in Yukon, Okla., when witnesses reported seeing part of it fall to the ground. The crash was being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Bohn-Meyer came to NASA Dryden in 1979 and became chief engineer in October 2001. She also participated in numerous youth education programs, particularly those for girls interested in science.

A private memorial service was scheduled for Friday at Dryden.

Friday, September 16, 2005 at 10:23 Kathy Myers, Spouse of Sgt. Ted M. Meyers (Mike) Writes:

I am Sgt. Meyers's widow, Kathy. I am looking for John Waller or Tom Mollicone who served at Beale AFB with my husband in 1969-1971. In addition, anyone who was at Korat from April 68 to April 69 who might have known him would be welcome to reply. The names I remember him talking about are: Ken Silvay, Mike Schmidt, Mike Teeter, Rob and John.

Thanks so much.

Kathy Myers

Email: kmm43082@aol.com

September 13, 2005 at 12:40 TSgt Barry Hoover Writes: 

I was a crew chief at Kadena from 1981 thru 1984.

TSgt Barry Hoover

Email: barry.hoover@portlandaf.mil

Monday, 9/12/2005 5:53 PM Donald Campbell & Richard Graham Writes: 
To All Habus and Friends of Habus,

Just received the word that Gen. Pat Halloran was selected to be inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of fame (MAHF) on May 13th 2006, at Bloomington, MN.

Another Habu does well!!

A great honor for a most deserving gentleman.

Saturday, September 10, 2005 at 22:20 Sgt David Postlewaite Writes: I served in the 9th FMS Electric shop from 75-78. Miss all you guys. Michael Moore, Sgt Murphy, Rich Boyce, Carl Turner, Paula Prevost, good 'ole Jack Turner, Greg Pectovich, Casterdarlyn "Pete" Rhodes, Dave Nichols, and a great guy, MSgt Schwepke. Pardon my spelling. And so many more. I loved the electric shop and the people who worked there.

Sgt. Murphy once told me a tale about a Mach 3 snail.  I believe it was in the possession of Billy Walker from engine shop over in Okinawa. If either of them read this post could you please elaborate on it. Thank you all for making the SR-71 experience some of the best times of my life, in retrospect of course.

Sgt David Postlewaite

Email: dpostle1@hotmail.com

Friday, September 9, 2005 at 21:13 Major Richard Kossol Writes: I would like to reconnect with some old friends from the 70's and early 80's in the Black Bird program. I'm new to this web site and have a lot of historical reading to do.

If you remember the 2nd LT of the early 70's or the Major at HQ SAC LGXR, the maybe you can place the face. My stint at Beale in the early 80's was my last in the AF.
Names like Tucci, Massey, Velarde, Dickhaus, Souther are top of mind for me.

Major Richard Kossol 

Email: Kossol@excite.com

Tuesday, September 6, 2005 at 06:07 Ron Schwedland Writes: 

I spent my first three years as a gas turbine engineer helping develop the J58 engine.
This was the most exciting and demanding program I have worked on in 43 years in the business. Very gratifying to see the results.

Ron Schwedland

Email: rschwedland@williams-int.com

Saturday, August 27, 2005 at 15:00 SSgt Michael Covey Writes: I was on the tanker side of the house. My best memories of my military duty in Okinawa was while I was assigned to the Tanker Task Force. They made me come back to the states. Someone told them, the powers to be, I was having too much fun. So funny, I "assumed" that when I first showed up, I would have been a "2nd class citizen (figured I already had 2 bad marks, 1st a 702 (admin), 2nd (tanker toad. what I soon learned was the Det 1, 9th SRW was a very close knit family. I ate that up.
I'll never forget the very important missions, because that gave me a sense that I'm doing something important. Call it Air Force pride, but to this day, I still talk about it.

SSgt Michael Covey

Email: MajNuisance@aol.com

Thursday, August 25, 2005 at 23:57 Afc Michael Strand Writes: 

I was in 456 OMS on B52's and KC-135Q's at Beale AFB. 

Are there any others at 1970-1973?

Afc Michael Strand

Email: mstrand1@verizon.net

Wednesday, August 18, 2005 at 08:30, Mort Jarvis forwarded the following death notice. It  was sent to Bob Roetcisoender by McNeer's wife, Ellen. 

We are writing to you to let you know that my husband and our father
Charles J (Red) (Mac) McNeer passed away from complications from the lung (cancer) surgery on Tuesday August 16, 2005 at 11:53PM. Daddy went peacefully and we will miss him greatly.

The arrangements have been made. As per his wishes he will be buried at Barracas Cemetery in Pensacola, FL on Monday August 22, 2005 at 10:15AM. We have a viewing for him on Sunday August 21, 2005 from 3:00PM to 5:00PM at the Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, FL. 

Daddy appreciated all of his friends that he has made over the years. There will never be another one like him and that is why we loved him so much.

With love,
Ellen, Kelley & Faith McNeer

Charles J. McNeer

Lt. Colonel Charles J. "Red" McNeer, USAF (Ret.) of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully Tuesday, August 16th, 2005 due to complications from lung cancer.

Red was born in Portsmouth, Ohio on December 13th, 1931. He was the son of William F. and Lura Wade McNeer.

Red enlisted in the Air Force on his 17th birthday and proudly served his country for 22 years. At the age of 19, he served as a navigator-bombardier on a B-29 named "The Outlaw" with the 19th Bomb Group and flew 50 combat missions over Korea. He later served as a B-47 Navigator at Lake Charles AFB, then as a B-52 radar-navigator at both Eglin and Barksdale AFBs. He transferred to Beale AFB in 1965, to become one of the earliest Reconnaissance Systems Officers (RSO) assigned to the SR-71 program. He flew several combat missions over North Vietnam. But Red's proudest achievements were with the SR-71/YF-12A Test Force where he served as Chief of the Operations Division and the RSO on all of test missions flown. In a report written by his immediate superior, he wrote: "Lt. Colonel McNeer is devoted to all phases of aviation. He has a broad background in all elements of strategic bombing and reconnaissance. He possesses those qualities that mark him as an outstanding military leader."

Red was an avid sports car enthusiast and an excellent mechanic. In his spare time, he enjoyed racing his TR-4 in SCCA sporting events.

A devoted husband and father, Red was truly proud of his family. He is survived by Ellen, his wife of 47 years; two daughters, Kelley Hall and her husband Ray of Destin, Florida, and Master Sergeant Faith McNeer of Wichita, Kansas; two grandchildren, Crystal Donaldson and her husband Sean, and Jared Hall; one great-granddaughter, Sierra Donaldson, all of Destin, Florida. Also surviving are two brothers and one sister: William F. McNeer of Tampa, Florida, Claude E. McNeer and Margot Peggy Miller both of Norfolk, Virginia. 

Red was buried at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida with full military honors on August 22nd, 2005.

August 23, 2005 10:03am Bill Campbell Writes: I attended Red's funeral yesterday at the Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida where he was buried with full military honors. Red and I were neighbors at Beale AFB for 4 years. In 1969, when I had moved to the SR-71/YF-12A Joint Test Force at Edwards AFB, I asked Red to join me. We needed an experienced RSO who was expert in all of the aircraft's systems, and no one was better qualified than Red. He accepted and we flew together until the test force moved to Palmdale. As Chief of the Operations Division, he did an outstanding job of insuring that each test mission was properly planned, scheduled and flown. Red was truly one of the very best of the "Habus".
Bill Campbell

Tuesday, August 16, 2005 at 15:50 David Hall Writes: I was surprised and pleased to read Bill Weaver's story of the SR-71 breakup in the Aug. 8, 2005 edition of AW&ST. I had heard the story from Bill himself when we worked together. It brought back memories of strapping Bill into various production birds when I was a flight test engineer at Palmdale. I started on the program as an instrumentation engineer on Article 122 in 1962, and was laid off at the end of 1966 after my new assignment as flight test engineer on the Lockheed Shipbuilding hydrofoil was cancelled, and we lost the SST bid, where I had a job offer (when the contract was signed). Went out the door with about 400 engineers in Jan. 67. I remained in aviation for about 40 years, mostly as a test engineer and then accident investigator. Now I have retrained in another field and teach at the college level. Just discovered the Blackbird Assn and submitted my application. 

Dave Hall

Email: airsafe1@comcast.net

Sunday, August 7, 2005 at 10:25 MSgt (Ret) Ben Raines Writes: Wow...This brings back so many great memories. I was stationed at Beale right after Tech school in 1977. I was assigned to the 9 FMS Hydraulic shop. Work with some of the best hydraulic people in the career field like, Wilkerson (Wilkie), MSgt Elliason, Frank Mosely and Bobby Skinner, just to name only a few. My time with the SR was from 1977 to 1983 and then from 1987 until the dark day of the SR retirement from service. I was lucky enough to head down to Palmdale to refurbish a few "Hot Gigs" when the program was being reactivated. The rest of my career has been with the U-2 until my retirement in 2001. What a great 24 years with the U-2 and SR-71. Some of my fondest (and worst) memories have been with the program. All the TDY's to the "Rock", yearly trips to Mildenhall England, Air shows and ERT's in the US. For those who remember, yes, I'm the one who was Court Marshaled in 1982 when '964 fell on it's right wing (my worse days in the program) but to clear the air, I was finally cleared and findings over turned by then General Davis (SAC/CC). I meet my wife while assigned to Beale in the early years. I married Mary Cardenas (McKinley) (divorced from MSgt Mac McKinley from the hydro shop). And yes, Mary was my supervisor in the hydraulic shop. We've been married for 25 years now. Damn that's a long time. I'm presently working for Lockheed Martin as a Tech Rep on the U-2's. I work with some of the old SR boys (Mike Burrow (CC) Norb Budzinski (RSO)). Some days we'll sit back and reminiscence about the "Old Days". Talk about all the Habu love bites. The same days you could drink 2 beers during lunch and have shop parties on Friday nights after work. Try that now!!! For those of you who are reading this, never forget the times we had working on the greatest plane ever built. 

MSgt (Ret) Ben Raines

Email: bwraines1958@Yahoo.com

Editor's Note: There is a photo of #964 resting on one wing in the Hanger on Page Four of the Blackbird Losses web Page at this URL: http://www.wvi.com/~sr71webmaster/loss_4.htm 

The photo is near the bottom of the web page.

Sunday, August 7, 2005 at 09:23 SMSgt (Ret) Dan Johnson Writes: Of all my great experiences in my 26 years in the Security Police Career Field, my most exciting and rewarding had to be my exposure to the Habu at Kadena from 86-90. Especially the day Col Lee Shelton allowed my 10 year old son and myself to ride with him and observe a launch. What a rush! I was always impressed by the absolute professionalism of everyone associated with the SR...days I will never forget. Thanks to all, especially Col Shelton.
Dan Johnson
Kadena 86-90

SMSgt (Ret) Dan Johnson

Email: mailto:danponjohnson@hotmail.com

Monday, July 25, 2005 at 20:59 DiMarcia Ancrum Writes: 

I was an ELINT analyst at Offutt AFB Neb. I knew Col Locke there. I also recovered missions, debriefed crew and analyzed data from missions flown out of Kadena, Beale. 

DiMarcia Ancrum

Email: DA120591@NCR.COM

Monday, July 18, 2005 at 14:48 Sgt James Page Gibson "Hoot" Writes: I was a jet engine mechanic at Beale AFB for three years. I was on the flight line the day of the crash.  1967-1971 discharge. I worked closely with the SR-71 as an Engine Mechanic on and off the flight line. I worked with SSgt Bill Walker of state of Mississippi and would like to talk with other members of our outfit during this time. There are too many to name even when we were at Okinawa. The way I might be remembered is, I could slip into the inlet without other members having to remove the spike. I would like to hear from anyone in my squadron. 

Sgt James Page Gibson "Hoot"

Email: jtermite@sbcglobal.net

July 16, 2005 at 08:47 A1C Steve Flint Writes: I worked in the 100th Supply Squadron back in '78 to '81 as a Fuels Specialist refueling the SR and eventually ending up in the Fuels Lab. Being a 17 year old airman backing 5000 gallons of jet fuel into the hanger of the worlds fastest aircraft was quite a nerve wracking thrill!
Also got to go TDY to Mildenhall during the Russian invasion of Afghanistan back in 1980. There were many good times had on Beale back in the late 70's and early 80's. 
I've got some good in flight refueling pictures if anyone is interested. Just drop me an email.

A1C Steve Flint

Email: sflin@aol.com

6/28/2005 9:46 AM Kim McCreight Writes: As a former Pratt & Whitney engineer I have had the pleasure of working with many of the people responsible for the J-58 engine. The O&R (overhaul and repair) of these engines was handled by Pratt & Whitney. As a follow up to the crash investigation the engine(s) were returned to Pratt & Whitney's Government Engine facility in West Palm Beach , FL. My office was just outside the secure area where the J-58 engines were overhauled. We knew of the crash of course but where the engines ended up was a matter of speculation until I asked one of our technicians about the latest engine they had received. He replied, "Well, I can't say...but I can say that it's the first J-58 that I've found a crab in." One of my last duties at Pratt & Whitney back in 2000 was to design an engine display stand for the mighty J-58 engine. Several museums had the engines and wanted to put them on display. It was a great environment for a young engineer just out of school to find himself immersed in. Here's another bit of J-58 trivia: the early engines had their external plumbing gold plated! I've heard several explanations for it but I can't say definitively what the reason was. Regardless, the measure was discontinued pretty early on in the program. We had a non-flyable mockup engine over in the corner of the O&R facility that had external plumbing that still showed traces of the plating however.

Kim McCreight, Pratt and Whitney Engineer

Email: kim.mccreight@siemens.com

Editors Note: Kim is referring to 61-17974 (SR-71A) Nicknamed "Ichi-Ban", this aircraft was lost on 21 April 1989 over the South China Sea and is the last loss of any Blackbird. The full story is here: http://www.wvi.com/~sr71webmaster/Luzon.html

Friday, July 15, 2005 at 23:06 Mr. Arthur W. "Art" Moss Writes: I joined the U-2 & SR programs in 1980, in the Quality Assurance -Reliability group. I was doing the Monthly reliability reports. This also involved answering all of customer Quality Deficiency Reports. In effect I was the lone Quality Analyst/Engineer securing corrective action from the skunk works factory and the various suppliers. All of my QDR responses went back with Engineering Management signature. I was doing this on both Programs until I retired from Lockheed in 1990.  I was able to make one memorable trip to Beale to coordinate with the QA folks at Beale and the Det 6.  The airplane Retirement Party at Palmdale thrown by the Det. 6 folks, also was a very special and memorable occasion. It was a chance for all of the hard working Det. & Burbank folks to get a last, up close and personal look at the airplane. The party was done shortly before the Record flight to the Smithsonian.
Also the last low level fly-by by 972 at Burbank was amazing, especially since Kelly Johnson was present, (out of the Hospital for the occasion). Most of the ADP-Burbank crew was lined up along the Taxi-way fence. 972 two low passes and seemed so close to the crowd, that when the AB was lit (about where we were standing), we could feel the heat from the exhaust. The sound of the AB, also was tremendous. My family did not have a clue what I was doing until the special family day for the delivery of final F-117, and when I retired from LAC.

Mr. Arthur W. "Art" Moss, QA Engineer-Retired 

Email: jam3333@foxinternet.net

Wednesday, July 13, 2005 at 14:29 Sgt. Dan Goodwin Writes: I promise I'm not trying to clog your fantastic site, but looking at it has kicked off the replay button in my head and names and faces have been popping up of old ECM guys and gals I'd like to hear from.

Anyone know how to get in touch with Pete Peterson, Bill Whittle, Lex Davis, John McNeil, Curtis Johnson, Dale Johnson, Harry Broskie, Dave Troutman, Bill Stiles, Rich Sweo, Rick Mallot, Esther "The Pearl" McKinney, Gary Jackson, Steve Tesch, Mike McGowan, Bob Turner, Mike Berry, "Ho-Ho" Horton or Dave Bird, Mike Luniewski...to name just a few of the ECM jammers I had the privilege of serving with. I believe Old Sam Patton from Soddy (Daisy) Tennessee was a former ECM guy.

OK, one quick memory of life in the ECM shop. One day, Bob Turner and I were trying to redo some wiring in one of the U2 noses in the shop and he needed to cut open a bundle. Being a Tennessean, I had my Case XX Sodbuster Jr. in my pocket and gave it to him. Bob was about 5'4" and high strung when he wasn't drinking. Bob slipped the blade under the tie wrap, and right as I said "Bob be careful that's a razor sharp knife" the tie wrap parted and the Sodbuster's blade sliced about one-half inch off of Bob's finger tip. The tip flipped slowly through the air and landed on the floor, blood spurted and Bob's eye saucered. "Here," he said. "Take your damn knife" and handed it to me. Then he walked out in front of one of our tech-reps and passed out cold on the linoleum. Bob drove a huge '77 Ford T-Bird and a green blue Kawasaki 400 that he liked to ride while standing on the seat. He was unlucky. Got into horses at the Beale Stables and broke both his arms one time. Truly this website has released the floodgates of my mind and I realize what a special place Beale, the 9th SRW were and what a special brotherhood to which I belong, those lucky few who got to work on the SR-71 and U2s!

Sgt. Dan Goodwin

Email: mp5buzz@hotmail.com

Wednesday, July 13, 2005 at 10:17 MSgt Robert Bragg Writes: 

I was with the 456 OMS, KC135Q from Feb '68 through Oct '69 Crew Chief on #58-117 many trip to OL-8.  Would like to hear from some of the old gang known as "Logan's Crates".

MSgt Robert Bragg

Email: rfb286@yahoo.com

Monday, July 11, 2005 at 23:25 SSgt Steve Kirkman Writes: Hi to all in the SR-71 Alma-Mater. My time with the Blackbird began in April 1984, when I was assigned to the 9th AMS at Beale in the Avionic nav workshop. I was there until November 1986. I'd like to get in touch with CHAD MOBECK. We were buddies through tech training and our time at Beale, but as often happens we've lost touch. If anyone can pass on to Chad that I've been trying to get in touch that would be great. And if my name rings a bell with any of the other guys from the workshop it would be good to hear from you all as well

Best regards
Steve Kirkman

Email: s.kirkman-yankshire@surfanytime.net

Monday, July 11, 2005 at 14:48 Sgt. Dan Goodwin Writes: 

If the Animal House question was aimed at me, I never stayed at a two-story building while TDY at Kadena. The girls were in two-story barracks quite a ways from where we were. The AMS guys stayed at the single story barracks (two guys to a room) near the lobby that had the Koi in a pond out front. There was also a little hollow behind our barracks that was being farmed by Japanese Nationals. 

Savory and unsavory memories from Kadena '78-'81: Mongolian BBQ; Charlie's Tacos (never even came close to T/Sgt. Ray Clark's record); bargaining for fun with the worn-out mama sans in Whisper Alley (Pssst! GI!), then running away when we got them down to 50 cents; threading my way through all the passed-out, sun burnt Jarheads and their vomit on the hill behind the Class 6 store every payday; picking on Dan De Moreen an artillery jarhead who somehow wound up in our barracks for about a month (had a vocabulary of about 50 roughly English words, but a good friend); making up a story about how a guy in my shop broke his ribs in the barracks (the truth: too many OTC valiums from downtown; Black Russians and disco fever on top of the chest of drawers); the Filipino bands doing songs from Saturday Night Fever at the NCO Club; listening to permanent station WAFs tell each other at the chow hall how they banked their paychecks every month because Japanese businessmen took them out to dinner every night and bought them presents; wondering where the hell I could get a Habu stencil and do some serious vandalism; the right-hand drive cars covered with un-buffed wax; watching jarhead jump jets take off; telling jarheads about our underground hangars, nuclear weapons and wetbars; finding out a guy from the camera shop (I think) got caught bringing in a pound of weed on a KC and then spent a year of hard time in the Japanese prison plus a dishonorable (does a lot to keep you merely drinking your young butt off). Whoa, another long post.

C'mon ECM folks, drop me a line!

Sgt. Dan Goodwin

Email: mp5buzz@hotmail.com

Thursday, July 7, 2005 at 14:08 MSgt Eric C. Sabadin Writes: 

I began my military career as an Administrative Apprentice (702) in the Physiological Support Division (PSD) and donned many of the Space Suits for the technicians to hone their skills of integrating pilots with aircraft. I worked under Colonel Jacks and his Secretary, Lorna Duck, in the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing Headquarters. I was very lucky to be at stationed at Beale at the tail-end of the eighties to experience the awesome power/beauty of the SR-71.

MSgt Eric C. Sabadin

Email: eric.sabadin@vandenberg.af.mil

Tuesday, July 05, 2005 at 9:25 Russell Harvey, Tech Rep. Writes: :

"The Animal House Story"

A question for you. Since you were in the program about the same time as I was, I wonder how much you remember about the "Animal House", Barracks 108 in Kadena, Okinawa. That would make a story all in itself!

Do you remember the horse our guys got up onto the second floor, but couldn't get to go down the stairs, or the huge mounds of beer cans that "someone" used to build outside the door of the first sergeant, or the two a.m. "bowling" of bowling balls stolen from the lanes next door, into trash cans at the end of the hallways? Or the nightly screaming of "Habu" then slamming of the room doors.

Even greater accomplishments such as stealing the welded iron globe of the world from Kadena Wing Headquarters, and rolling it all the way up the hill and over the chain link fence into the Base Skating Rink? And I still haven't found out how in the world "somebody" built that huge "rocket" of 55-gallon drums on top of Barracks 108. 

And I don't know about you, but how in the world did our troops pull off all these stunts and yet showed up
to work the next morning, and did a damn fine job of keeping the "Habu" flying?  I guess making everything "permanent party" sort of toned all these shenanigans down, probably taking all the fun out of everything.

And who could ever forget the wonderful? smell of mary jane throughout the barracks. I watched one of my troops impale himself on the sharp corner of the RSO's canopy, not even noticing that he was bleeding all over the place. Can't even begin to tell you how many hours I spent with the OSI over that little incident! 

And the Technical Representative who mysteriously disappeared from the face of the earth, only much later to be discovered that he was smuggling some drugs back to the U.S. in cameras.

And not to forget the wonderful "Over" phone conversations courtesy of Senator Goldwater and his powerful HAM radio. And best of all those wonderful "Care" packages coming over weekly on the tanker!

Russell Harvey, Technical Representative-Cameras

Email: rharvey67@yahoo.com

Tuesday, July 5, 2005 at 12:13 Sgt. Dan Goodwin Writes: I am a writer so this is long! I was thrilled to get my orders to work on SR-71 & U-2 during my last weeks of training at Keesler's Hewes Hall for Electronic Warfare Systems Tech. One guy actually tried to give me $500 to swap orders with him and work on BUFFs at Minot AFB. Five hundred bucks was more than a month's pay in early '78, but No Way! After spending a month back home at the recruiter's request lining up more volunteers, I arrived at Beale in early April '78. I spent many wild and wonderful times there, usually working 2nd shift. Yeah, it was dry heat, but I'm sure Hell might feel like the inside of a U-2s nose section on those afternoons when the mercury was hitting 105 on the flightline. And sometimes I'm sure my hair still smells of JP7 from the steady drip-drip 976 wrinkled black belly and those of all her ass-hauling sisters. Can't ever forget those leisurely naps on top of the EMR screen room while Sgt. Barney Schwartz looked for me, or those glorious FOD walks down the runway and painting our equipment wagons again and again. BTW, I'm pretty sure ex-Blackbird crewchiefs write most of the dialog for Deadwood on HBO; I've never heard such foul language!I did two or three TDYs at both Kadena and RAF Mildenhall, and that was a blast _ Shane Willey was the ultimate shop chief in England and he knows why. I fondly recall the Squadron Beer Busts every Friday night at 9th AMS; and was glad it wasn't MY boys who dropped a Side Looking Radar through the nose bay of a Blackbird that one Friday night after a few too many. Let's not forget the parties with the "cool" tech reps in Grass Valley or skinny dipping all day in the Yuba River canyon. I decided to not re-enlist in order to go to Middle Tennessee State University on the GI Bill _ and because I DID NOT want to do a year in Korea! I got out in June '81 and headed to Tennessee. I'd love to get in contact with my old buddy/nemesis then TSgt Bill Donathan who is probably still on the flightline, SRA Dan Bohrer of Virginia, Sgt. Ken Hamlin of SoCal, Sgt. Rich Sweo of Wisconsin and SRA Elizabeth Houghton of Massachusetts from my shop. Not to mention roommate Jim Trago of SLR and Jim Walker and anyone else whose name I can't remember right now at _ gasp _ age 45. If y'all can run it, let everybody know I've got two boys and a girl, still married to my wife since '88, have been a college (Sigma Chi) fraternity president, newspaper reporter and editor, just finished 13 years (mostly as a SMG-toting Narc Detective) with the sheriff's office, taught college and wrote for gunmags on the side and just began another chapter as a gun company executive with Barrett Rifle Manufacturing (.50-caliber sniper rifles _ the SR-71 of the rifle world). Yes boys and girls, Dan "Crash" Goodwin went Ryukan and still hasn't come back. It was my distinct honor to work with those ECM Crows and the golden space-suited Habus who drove the Snake at the edge of space spying on the Evil Empire and our buddies behind the Bamboo Curtain who are still a threat. God Bless and let me join the Blackbird Association! Never forget: SAC, Peace is our Profession (War is Just A Hobby!)

Sgt. Dan Goodwin

Email: mp5buzz@hotmail.com

Thursday, June 30, 2005 at 11:37 Col (Ret) Lew Stewart Writes: While I was stationed at Kadena (1973-1976), working in the Supply Squadron, I used to play golf every weekend and enjoyed watching the Habu's doing their touch-and go's on Sunday mornings. What a machine, and what a beautiful sight!! 

While I was stationed at Kadena, there was an "urban legend" that the remains of a crashed Habu were buried on the side of a hill not too far from the Kadena golf course. There is a little maintenance building on the site with a chain-link fence around it. I wasn't sure whether or not to believe it, but I have always wondered whether or not the story is true. Does anyone happen to know?

Col (Ret) Lew Stewart

Email: lewis.stewart@robins.af.mil

Wednesday, June 29, 2005 at 15:07 Harold B. Summers Writes: During my tenure at Transco Products Inc. a past contractor for Lockheed Aircraft, I was the project engineer for the flush type L band antennas utilized by the SR-71 Blackbird. The design and delivery of the antennas covered a two year period with most of the design spent on the testing and selection of materials required to withstand the high temperature environments. Because of the classified nature of the program, I was practically a one man team overseeing every phase of the design, assembly, processing and RF testing of the antennas until they were picked up at the back door. I have always felt I was a team member.

 Harold B. Summers

Email: halymar@comcast.net

Wednesday, June 29, 2005 at 09:37 Sgt. Raymond Zacher Writes: I originally posted in November, 2001. I was an Illustrator in the 9WHS in the mission planning area in the vault on the third floor in the old S.A.G.E. building. I was stationed at Beale my whole four years from November 1969 to August 1973. Two TDY's to Okinawa, Sept. through Dec. 1970 and Dec. 1971 through Feb. 1972. I won't repeat everything I said, but I am listing everyone I used to know and work with one last time, as no one has posted except SSgt Bill Duffy and MSgt Charles Aldous before he retired.

Here goes: SSgt. Art (Lump) Lombardi, Sgt. Glenn Sweet, SSgt. Bill Miller, A1C Mark Kramer, SSgt. Jerry Miller, A1C Rob Graves, A1C Dave Cheney, SSgt. Pete Swanson, A1C Greg Lund, Sgt. Greg Skillern, A1C Steve Christiansen, Sgt. Duane Herrmann, Sgt. Bob Braun, Sgt. Joe Bane, A1C McKelvey, Sgt. Beaven, SSgt. Hardesty, SSgt. Dave Heslop, SSgt. Dave Burk, Sgt. Lee Fong, Sgt. Ernie Kraus, Sgt. George Pinson, TSgt. Jay Brazell, A1C Gary ("Kankovitch") Kanoski, Sgt. Huber, MSgt. John Harmon, Sgt. Vic Roth, TSgt. Jessie Suggs, SSgt. Short, MSgt. Tom Porthouse, TSgt. Dom Creazzo, Sgt. Tom Amos, A1C Jim Hyde, Sgt. Jim Long, TSgt. "Charlie" Charlton, Sgt. "Bo" Bofinger, SSgt. "Worm" Williams, SSgt. Dave Horn and Sgt. Rich Belton.

As for the officers: LtCol. John Hewitt, LtCol Joe Hilliard (deceased), LtCol. Ward, LtCol. Wilt, LtCol. Duane Ball, Major Larry Gindlesperger, LtCol. (Cash) McCall, LtCol. Gilliland, and LtCol. Steve Harrop.

For those of us who worked in the "vault", ours was a unique service experience in the flight planning area. We took care of our own and avoided most of the Air Force "chicken" that occurred on the outside. Also, there was much fraternization between the officers and men and necessarly so. We had it very good and we knew it!

I have been extremely fortunate to have served (although a very immature young man) along side top-quality personnel at the pinnacle of the USAF. Although I did not fully appreciate it at the time, Beale AFB and the SR-71 was unique and as a result I cherish those years today as the finest time of my young life (even basic training!) and am the better man for it. I remember those experiences like they were yesterday. Even though my life's focus now is on a totally different path, I still draw on my experiences from those years almost daily and continue to learn from them and to share them with others.

Sgt. Raymond Zacher

Email: rzacher@smurfit.com

Wednesday, June 29, 2005 at 05:03 Machinist John W. Nugent III Writes: Although I was not in the military I feel as though the SR-71 was a friend of mine. From 1985 until it's retirement I was a machinist at Pratt-Whitney in W.P.B. Florida, the only place in the world for overhaul and repair for the J-58 engines. I machined quite a few parts that was repaired or replaced during overhaul. The burner ring inside the engine was the part I most often machined. This part was not repaired but replaced. Assembly was right across the hall and if I walked by while the door was open I could see the mechanics putting them back together. Once I was lucky enough to be down at the test area when they were running the J-58. Several times the pilots and support crew toured our shop to check us out and say Hi!

Machinist John W. Nugent III 

Email: papanuge@bellsouth.net

Thursday, June 23, 2005 at 19:42 A1C Rober Richardson I arrived at Beale air force base in January 1971. I was assigned to the security police squadron there. I never even heard of the SR-71. When I first saw it it reminded of the twilight zone. I really became a fan of that plane. When I told my dad about it he was stunned. 

I found myself guarding 12 of them....a lot. 

Thank you,

A1C Rober Richardson

Email: Richardr@wwics.com

Monday, June 20, 2005 at 10:01 MSgt (Ret) Leland (Lee) James Writes:

 Jan 1974-Apr 1977, 5th wiper on all of the flight line SR-71s. Worked mostly swings and mids. Was on the crew that launched the record breaking missions in 1976. TDY to Det 1 a couple of times. The people at that time left me a lasting impression at an early and set the stage for a successful Air Force career. People that helped me form the right attitude, MSgt Lane, MSgt Jay Halsteader, and MSgt Flowers.

MSgt (Ret) Leland (Lee) James

Email: Not Submitted

Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at 10:57 MSgt Gary R. Ledford Writes: 

Worked in the Mission Recorder Shop (MRS) from '87-'90. Yeah, we were the guys you all were always asking, "Where's my strip charts!?" And that heavy orange recorder...yep, that was ours. Ah yes, those days of transducers, phase, hydro fluid, start carts, chili cook-offs out behind AMS, and so much more are gone now...and strangely enough, missed.

MSgt Gary R. Ledford

Email: gary.ledford@scott.af.mil

Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 17:01 Sgt. Gregory D Walendzik Writes: I was assigned to Beale A.F.B. in 1983 and the the SR-71 along with the U-2 was our primary mission! Even though I wss in the 9th SPS my mission was to protect that base and those pilots and planes with my life! The U.S.A.F gave me enough weapons to see to that!! I was very proud to be a part of that 
mission and regarded HABU pilots as the best in the Strategic Air Command!! Sincerely, Gregory D. Walendzik Sgt,Honorably Discharged.

P.S. I even made sure when I moved back to my home state of Michigan, I was in the direct flight path of then Selfridge AFB, Now re-designated as Selfridge ANG Base! I love the roar of the mostly F-16 Fighting Falcons!! I keep up on U.S.A.F. History and also see the Thunderbirds whenever they are out here for a show! The U.S.A.F was my pride and joy and I wish I would
have made a career out of it!

Sgt. Gregory D Walendzik

Email: walendzik@sbcglobal.net

Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at 00:24 Wm. Sisson Writes: I fly Radio Control airplane and am in the process of scratch building a 1/12 scale twin turbine powered SR-71. If anyone would like to see the progress, I will be more then happy to share photos with them. My question is this. On the wing of the plane there is a " DIP " in the leading edge, and for the life of me, I can not find information on what that " DIP " was put in the wing for? I can only imagine that it has to do with air flow over the wing at high mach speeds and or for stability? That is my wild guess.
If anyone could let me know what that dip was designed to do I would appreciate it very much. Also, how much dip is there from the top of the wing? We have the SR-71 trainer here in Michigan to where I could go measure the dip to calculate how much I need to put in my wing, but I was hoping someone could let me know the reason it was put in the wing to begin with. 
Also, I would like to say, that it is a pleasure to just be able to write to someone that has had something to do with the plane. I think this is one of the most fascinating aircraft there ever has been. Kelly Johnson & the Skunk Works people did a great job in creating one of the best aircraft ever. I envy all & anyone that has ever had the chance to just take a ride in a SR-71. That had to be the ride of a life time. I'm still looking to see one fly someday out of NASA, but then again, I may only ever have video memories. I wish I could say I knew someone that flew or was an RSO, but I can't, but what I can say is, I am very happy to know we had TOP PILOTS flying one of the most prestigious jets to ever. THANK YOU to all of the pilots & RSO's that did a job well done. 
Thanks again and hope to hear from someone on my question.

Wm. Sisson

Email: bsisson@i2k.com

Sunday, June 5, 2005 at 23:13 SSgt Terry Twigg Writes: 

I would like to reconnect with old friends!
Johnny Gratton, James Tucker, Bev, James Cheeley

SSgt Terry Twigg

Email: ytyt@zcloud.net

Sunday, June 5, 2005 at 10:30 CMSgt Norman J Broussard Writes: 

Pneudraulic Shop Chief and Aerospace Systems Branch Chief.

CMSgt Norman J Broussard

Email: njbrouss@hotmail.com

June 4, 2005 at 08:22 SMSgt Bill Kuzma Writes: 

Looking for David Lawrence.

SMSgt Bill Kuzma

Email: crabbybill@msn.com

Friday, June 3, 2005 at 14:35 Dottie Sakers-Roche Writes:

Here is my email address for those interested in contacting me. I worked at the Precision Photo Processing Lab. We processed all aspects of camera systems from the SR-71 and U-2 aircraft.

Dottie Sakers-Roche

Email: dottieroche@comcast.net

Friday, June 03, 2003, Richard Graham, Col (Ret) writes: 

I just received an email from a close friend of Pat Halloran's, Les Tugaw, informing me that Pat is being operated on right now with open heart surgery.

Les said he was taking his daily walks over the past few days and experienced mild chest pains. He went to the doctors and they discovered blockage that required him to be operated on ASAP. He is having a double bypass.

I have no more information as far as hospital, room, phone, etc., but will let you know as soon as more comes in.

General Pat Halloran's home address is: 3791 Blue Merion Court, Colorado Springs, CO 80906.

Richard Graham

Email: habu5@verizon.net

Dick Roussell adds this information today: There are only 2 hospitals in Colorado Springs and Pat is in "Memorial Hospital" 
1400 E. BOULDER ST, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80909
PHONE NUMBER IS: 719 365-5000

Col. Cary Malott told me that they will not say anything to anyone at the hospital other than to the immediate family. At least someone can send a card or whatever. Hopefully this will help.

Dick Roussell

Saturday June 04, 2005 Richard Graham Updates Pat Halloran's condition:

To All,

Putting together several emails here is what was passed along to me.

Walter Halloran, Pat's brother passed the following:
Budd Butcher called to say that he spoke with the surgeon who said Pat went through the procedure very well. Budd will call them again in the morning to see how the night went. Pat is at the Memorial hospital and Pat's room # is 4532 B and his phone is 719/365-5382. This is at his bedside and of course he isn't ready to talk yet. I spoke with Pat this morning just prior to going into the OR and, as usual, he was upbeat reminding me that I had the same procedure done a few years ago and still have a clean FAA ticket.
The following came from Larry Boggess:

Pat is at Memorial Hospital, 1400 East Boulder Street, Colo Spgs. Last night he was in room 4564, but the patient room locator phone number is 719-365-5229. I called yesterday about noon and his surgery was just starting. I called again in the evening and spoke to someone at the nurse's station - she said the surgery went well and he was doing well but gave no other information. They wouldn't let anyone visit him except family, but might today - if so, we'll go see him. Gray & Suzie Sowers are in town, and Gray had spoken to Pat on Thursday, and Pat said the surgery would be a double bypass. 

Richard Graham

Sunday, June 05, 2005 : Larry Boggess Writes: Update on Pat Halloran from Larry Boggess:

We just returned home from visiting Pat at the hospital. He is in the Coronary Care Unit, and you must check in with the CCU nurse's station to see him. A nurse took us to his bed, but almost didn't let us stay because he was sleeping and they don't want him awakened. Luckily, he opened his eyes and waved his hand to us across the 4-bed room, so we got to talk to him for 5-10 minutes. He looks quite good, but is pretty beat. He has his arms clasped across a cushion on his chest, and said the pressure makes it feel better. He said breathing is difficult and his lungs hurt more than the incision. He spoke quite softly but is clear headed. He expects to be better able to talk and less tired in a day or two. He will be in the hospital for about a week and then will be recovering at home for the next 5-6 weeks, and doing very little. His friend Les (who notified Rich Graham originally) is staying with him for a 6-week stint while in town to flight test a replica of a 1930s airplane. Pat hadn't seen his brother Walter yet, and wasn't sure whether he'd arrived yet (from Rochester, MN).

Larry Boggess

Monday, June 06, 2005, Larry Boggess Writes: Pat Halloran update:

I visited with Pat this afternoon. He was sitting up in a chair and talking to his brother Walter when I got there. You would not know that he had just had surgery by the way he talks; he does move around a little slower than normal. There is a possibility that he may get to go home tomorrow or the next day. He is looking good. He will have to stay at home for about six weeks, and he feels bad about not making it to the reunion. He had