#reconnaissance

[usafphantom2]

SR-71 #955 was the first SAC SR it was not 1965 designated for flight test only.

This is what my Dad Richard” Butch” Sheffield wrote down about the SR-71 program in 1965

On February 16, 1965, SAC Headquarters sent the message assigning the first six crewmembers to the SR-71 Program from the 43 BW, Little Rock, and 305 BW, Bunker Hill. The reporting date to 4200 Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (SRW), Beale, AFB, California, was not later than April 20, 1965. I was one of the six.

On April 30, 1965, Colonel Nelson and his wife hosted the first four SR-71 crews at the Officers Club for dinner. It was the first time the whole group had ever been together and had met each other and the wives. All of the wives were beautiful; in fact, Mrs. Nelson accused Colonel Nelson (jokingly) of picking us for the program because of our wives' beauty. We were all very aggressive and hardworking men and had married beautiful women.

Arrival Skunk Works May 1965

The next week we all left our families and drove to the “Skunk Works” (SW) in Burbank, California, to attend the first course ever taught about the SR-71. The course was for the pilots and Navigators and would last about six weeks. The Navigators would stay at the SW for several weeks longer to learn about the navigation and sensor systems.

Nortronics had developed a very accurate digital computer navigation system. The only problem was no one had told them how the SAC Navigators would use the Navigation Systems in flight. They had designed the system to work without inputs from the cockpit and we could not even change the flight path or read the time off of it in flight. All time readouts were in octal. We asked Nortronics Engineering to come see us and it was very carefully explained how we wanted the system to work.

Flying first sorties

My first flight in the SR was on October 13, 1965. The aircraft was number 955; I had seen it being built at the SW in May. My pilot was Pete Collins. This was the first time that two Captains had flown a SR. We did not wear pressure suits and only went to mach. 2. The checklist was two pages long.

When I left the Program eight years later, it was two inches thick.

I have my Dad‘s written down history, but I would love to hear from other pilots and navigators.

Linda Sheffield

My photos are from the Jim Goodall collection.

@Habubrats71 via X

[illustratus]

French Napoleonic soldiers receiving intelligence by Richard Caton Woodville Jr.

[captain-price-unofficially]

Ukrainian BRDM-2 "AC/DC", 2014

[wspinpics]

Marines jumping out of V22 osprey

[adnauseum11]

Bottom Line Up Front (John Price x Reader)

Kate updates John on what her reconnaissance has uncovered.

1k words

CW: swearing, allusion to past sexual assault

feedback welcome!

Kate checks the incoming number on her ringing cell before swiveling away from her computer screen and answering. Her favourite current retiree is checking in, right on schedule, saving her a call. 

“John, how are things?”

“Alright Kate, any news there?” John asks, paused at a stop light after dropping his love off at work. 

“Yeah, actually. Let’s start with if you’re aware that there’s a photo of you and your lady on the internet, shall we?” 

Kate asks, already knowing the answer. 

“What?” 

It gets John’s full attention. He’s navigating back to his love’s place, and nearly misses his turn at Kate’s revelation.

“Yeah, were you at a pub recently?”

“A few.” John stays cagey, unused to his habits off duty being under a microscope. 

“Well, there is one over on Beecher’s Lane using a photo of you and a woman to advertise online.”  

“Ah Christ, I knew that was trouble. She does trivia nights with her mates there.” He says by way of explanation. 

He leaves out the part about her triumphant face at finally making it on to the leader board swaying his better judgement about the photo. Years of scrupulous image control to maintain his professionalism undone a few months into dating. Bloody hell. 

“Well, they scanned it and posted it up. I can see why though, she’s very pretty. Well done, John. I can see why you kept her to yourself.”

“Alright, easy, you’re happily married Kate.” 

John reminds her, a wave of possessiveness sweeping through him. 

“Yeah, married but not dead.” 

“She’s spoken for.” John growls, navigating a roundabout while Kate irritates him from afar. 

“Obviously. I did some digging on my end on the name you gave. It’s come back with some colourful info. He’s ex-army, dishonorable discharged for sexual assault years ago. He’s done contract work in the past; one was with some of Col. Norris’ men. Ring any bells on that name?” 

John’s processing as he drives, a sinking feeling in his gut.

“Of course, you think there’s more of a connection there?” 

John’s memory of threatening the Colonel is clear as day, although it had been years and a long road since that incident. The mention of sexual assault has him tightening his grip on the steering wheel unconsciously. 

“Norris is involved in the contract you turned down, that Gaz is on right now. Not sure yet, it is unusual that there would be a connection for a random B&E. I’m going to keep poking around. Certainly, it feels off. Your instincts remain sound, Captain.” Kate acknowledges John’s talent for uncovering bullshit.

John hums, internally thankful he’s already on his way to his love’s place to poke around and doubly grateful he turned down the contract weeks ago. He adds stopping by the pub to his list of errands.

“He didn’t put up much of a fight when I got there. You say he’s ex-army?”

“Well, personally, I think your reputation may have preceded you. If connection to you is what brought attention on her, they’d be looking to confirm they have the right woman, not rob her. He likely would have known you on sight, probably chose the best course of action to preserve his neck in the moment when the wrong person turned up.”

John’s blood runs cold as he pulls into his love's driveway. He idles in the car, staring at the door and the busted doorhandle, still unfixed, as dread sits like lead in his stomach. John’s done too much to be naïve to the potential outcomes.

“You think someone wants to leverage her against me? Norris?” John’s putting the information together quickly, following instincts.  

“Maybe. You’ve certainly given him no reason to like you, and he could be harbouring a grudge for the way his men were treated. He’s got an ego and a chip on his shoulder. Like I said, I’m going to keep flipping stones. There’s nothing solid there yet.”

John sighs, scratching his cheek before replying.

“Alright, thanks Kate. I’d hate to be right on this, but better to get ahead of it. Maybe let Gaz know something is up, if it’s connection to me they’re after. Better safe than sorry.”

“Already in motion. In the meantime, it goes without saying that I would encourage you to keep her away from the apartment.”

Kate swivels back to her computer, a notification blinking in the bottom corner.

“She won’t be going back. She’s moving out.” 

“You found a place that quickly? Impressive, John.” 

Kate’s tone is vaguely distracted as she reads the incoming message.

“She’s moved in with me.”

There’s a pregnant pause on the other end of the line for a moment. John has a feeling he has her full attention once again.

“Well, I suppose that makes sense, but that’s moving faster than I would have expected from a bachelor like yourself, Captain. What’s next, going to marry her before spring rolls around?” 

John presses his lips together in exasperation. Kate is teasing but there’s a vein of incredulity running underneath her comments that John can hear. He can’t totally blame her; this part of his life had been strictly off-limits. For the exact reason unfolding now, to his immense frustration. From the outside looking in, it would look like sudden madness, he’s sure. On some level, he wonders if it is, a man like him trying to retire into a normal life. 

“I don’t need time to get to know her Kate, I’ve known her forever.” John reminds her.  “Christ, you’re making me miss dealing with Simon. He doesn’t ask this many questions.”

“Who do you think found the photo, John?” 

He finally turns the car off, exhaling into the phone. 

“Jesus Christ, Kate.”

“He was concerned that you were slipping, letting that get posted. He’ll be relieved to know you sniffed this out.”

“Him and I both. Keep me posted on what else you find.”

John’s back to giving orders he’s no longer got any business giving and Kate humours him, the stress in his voice evident to her long-trained ear.

“Rog that, John. You keep yourselves safe until we get more details.”

Next Chapter

Tag list:

@deadbranch @beebeechaos @cadotoast @syoddeye @writeforfandoms @itr-00 @chloepluto1306 @batw3nch

[dronescapesvideos]

Dan House and Blair Bozek in an SR-71 Blackbird Cockpit. They both safely ejected after an engine failure in April 1989 (SR-71 17974 in the Philippines).

🎥 Going To Extremes VIDEO:

📷 HD IMAGE: https://dronescapes.video/cockpit

[pukindog-v2]

An RF-4B Phantom II "Spirit of America" in Bicentennial livery assigned to Marine Photo Reconnaissance Squadron 3 (VMFP-3) Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, California 1976.

[gentlenmensarts]

[usafphantom-2]

Type 95 reconnaissance plane “DAVE”

@Matsuda_HI via X

[stealth-skills]

Russian SOF scout-sniper team in the defense - Russo-Ukrainian War, 2024

[usafphantom2]

They had a lot on the bottom back then ('91)... wonder what it looks like now....

@tcamp202 via X

[illustratus]

Page from volume 6 of the 15-volume Hokusai Manga (sketches collection)

by Katsushika Hokusai

[captain-price-unofficially]

Humber Mk II armoured car of the UK 12th Royal Lancers on patrol in the Western Desert, Egypt, 10 Aug 1942

[dontforgetukraine]

The soldier and his best friend are from the "Medoid" unit. They work together in Eastern Ukraine. This four-legged-robo friend is used for reconnaissance.

Video source: Khortytsia OSG Translation: @/NatalkaKyiv

[nocternalrandomness]

US Marine Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron RF-4B over Arizona

[postcard-from-the-past]

German military reconnaissance aircraft Albatros on a vintage postcard