The Oxcart Legacy tour did double duty as they visited the massive Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) located at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington D.C. and later gave a presentation to the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation, the Advanced Technical Intelligence Assoc and the Association of Old Crows.
Another highly secure venue (no cameras allowed) at the DIA-panelists were greeted by DIA Director LT Gen. Ronald I. Burgess Jr. and each was presented a commemorative DIA coin "It is a privilege and and honor to host these pioneers of high speed, high altitude surveillance flight," said Burgess. "You were at the forefront of reconnaissance with the A-12 and set the tone to face the challenges of today."
The presentation to DIA staff and military personnel included a stirring slide show chronicling the Oxcart program and ended with the "Letters to Kelly" video tribute.
Later the group travelled to Herndon, Virginia to speak in front of the U.S.Geospatial Intelligence Foundation.
Moderator, Dr. David Robarge, Chief Historian for the Central Intelligence Agency said the Oxcart personnel are true heroes in the aerospace community. "They were on the cutting edge," he said. "It was a complete package." The A-12 reached altitudes of 90,000 feet and was able to reach Mach 3.29. It set the bar for it's successor, the SR-71 is still the highest and fastest manned, air breathing platform in aviation history.
The panelists discussed the challenges and triumphs of the project and fielded questions from the audiences.
On Tuesday, the tour will be guests of Congress at Capitol Hill.
Submitted by Connie Pardew
Photo by TD Barnes
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