More than 300 Blackbird personnel descended upon northern Nevada June 9-12 for the 16^th Blackbird Reunion.  Former pilots, RSO’s, maintainers, contractors and support personnel came together to celebrate the mighty Blackbird’s heritage, renew friendships and reminisce.

 Among attendees were several members of Roadrunner’s International - the cadre of personnel that made their temporary home in the southern Nevada desert while testing the U-2 and A-12 (the SR’s predecessor) in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

The seeds planted 50 years ago by the Lockheed Skunk Works with the development of the U-2 "Dragon Lady" fostered unsurpassed technology and, milestones in reconnaissance programs.  The A-12, the first Mach 3+ aircraft clothed with titanium was test flown in 1962. The “Archangel” went on the perform reconnaissance missions including the first over flight of North Korea after the U.S.S Pueblo was seized in 1968.

Roadrunner President Roger Anderson was in attendance along with Webmaster TD Barnes, Lt. Col. Tony Bevacqua (U-2 and SR-71 pilot),  Lockheed’s Bob Murphy, B/Gen. Ray Haupt (ret) (U-2 and SR-71 pilot),  A-12 CIA Mission Pilots Ken Collins and Frank Murray, Hank Meierdierck (AF U-2 pilot during Project Idealist and CIA during Project Oxcart), and pilot/author Donn Brynes.

The reunion offered numerous activities for attendees including a golf tournament, a talk by Duane Deale from the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, shopping opportunities for SR and U-2 memorabilia, a silent auction and a raffle.

The gala banquet Saturday night was highlighted by an inspiring PowerPoint presentation by Blackbird Webmaster Leland Haynes and Roadrunner Webmaster T.D. Barnes detailing the U-2 and Blackbirds history. The presentation was a joint effort by David Allison, John Stone, Tony Landis, Mick Roth, Lockheed Martin, Claudine Nelson, Jeff Oleson, Tony Bevacqua, Dru Blair, the Mellinger Archives and T.D. Barnes under the leadership of  Leland Haynes who prepared the presentation. A moving tribute to M/Gen Doug Nelson was read by M/Gen. John Storrie.

 Guest speaker Richard Smith III, executive Vice President of NETJETS gave an informative and lively talk on the operations of the multi-million dollar company.

 The prestigious Kelly Johnson Trophy was awarded to Col. Richard Graham (ret) former Wing Commander of the 9^th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Beale. Colonel Graham was selected to enter the SR-71 strategic reconnaissance program in 1974 at Beale AFB, California.   After several years as a crew member, he was further selected to become an instructor pilot, and in 1978 was selected as the Chief, Standardization/Evaluation Division, which included the SR-71, U-2 and T-38 aircraft.   In January 1980 he was selected to be the SR-71 Squadron Commander, 1st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, where he served until his assignment to Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama in 1981.

 Although the SR-71 is now retired, the dedication of these men and women that were involved in the program stands firm like the planes they designed flew and maintained. They are committed to keep the Blackbird heritage alive.