NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Operation: Blackbird, a celebration focusing on the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is this weekend. The planes flew three times the speed of sound at the edge of space. Flown from 1964-1990, they were used for reconnaissance and for engineering and flight tests. In 1995, Hutchinson residents watched as an entire addition to the Cosmosphere was constructed around a flown SR-71.
"There are going to be sixteen honored guests who were the pilots, reconnaissance officers, so they always flew as a team, the pilot and then the RSO, who was part navigator, mostly photographer and then, their maintenance crews and a historian from Skunk Works," said Mimi Meredith with Cosmosphere. "He is now at Virgin Galactic. It's just an amazing lineup."
Festivities begin with a meet and greet in Cosmosphere’s Grand Lobby under the SR-71 on Friday, October 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. then there is a full slate of Saturday events.
"It all begins Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in our lobby," Meridith said. "Also, in the Fee Family classrooms. In the Fee Family classroom, there will be a panel discussion with a pilot and an RSO officer, some maintenance crew members and that will all be moderated. Steve Justice will also be a part of that panel. He's the Skunk Works historian."
The name "Skunk Works" and the skunk design are now registered trademarks of the Lockheed Martin Corporation, who were the innovators of the next generation of aircraft for decades, including the SR-71 Blackbird. The crew members will also be giving back to the next generation while they are in town.
"We do have another private event that I'm really excited about," Meridith said. "This is for area college students. We'll be having folks come from WSU Tech and students from KU school of engineering, our own Hutchinson Community College and possibly K-State Salina on Friday evening to have dinner under the Blackbird with this team."
Below is the Saturday schedule of public events.
Saturday, October 15
10:00-11:30 a.m.
SR-71 Panel Discussion
Location: Fee Family Classroom
Jerry Glasser, SR-71 Pilot and Panel Moderator
John Manzi, SR-71 RSO
Robby Butterfield, SR-71 Maintenance
Dave Burns, SR-71 Maintenance
10:00-11:30 a.m.
Rub shoulders with some of the greats of the SR-71 world underneath the Cosmosphere’s SR-71.
SR-71 Meet & Greet
Location: Grand Lobby under the SR-71
10:00-11:30 a.m.
Book Signing
Location: Off the Cosmosphere’s Grand Lobby, by the SR-71 exhibit
With Richard Graham, SR-71 Instructor Pilot, Squadron Commander, Wing Commander & Author
The Complete Book of the SR-71 Blackbird is available for purchase here.
1:00-3:00 p.m.
SR-71 Breakout Groups
1. Operations
Moderated by Ed Yeilding
Location: Lower Level of Museum Rotunda
2. Maintenance/Engine
Moderated by Robby Butterfield
Location: Upper Level of Museum Rotunda
3. Training
Moderator TBD
Location: Observation Deck
4. Technology Development
Moderated by Steve Justice
Location: Upper Level of Museum Rotunda