Now you guys KNOW how to get my attention!

I saw my first one when living in Lancaster/Palmdale (near Edwards AFB) - 1970 (Sophmore year of High School - saw it from school, and was probably the only kid that knew what it was!).  It was flying low and slow, draggin' ass, and the F-104 chaser kept hitting the after-burners to keep up.  Amazing.

My Dad worked on the SR-71 development program for awhile (Groome Lake - 1958 - Skunk Works).  That was after his return from Germany (U2) and his return to civilian life (the CIA made Dad appear to be a Lt. Col. in an AF "Weather Recon Squadron" for an 18 month tour - he was never really in the military.  Family was relocated to an AF base in Texas for "appearances".  I was an infant at the time.).  But that's another long-winded story....

A truly amazing aircraft, as was the U2.  Thank you Clarence "Kelly" Johnson!

SGE