Predecessor to the SR-71, the A-12 flew operational missions (named Operation Blackshield) out of Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa for only 11 months, but their missions made historical impact on our nation's national security. Most notably photo reconnaissance when the USS Pueblo was seized by North Korea in 1968.
A very distinguished group of panelists gave a lively talk and slide presentation to an interested audience.
Moderator Dr. David Robarge. the CIA's Chief Historian was joined by Robert Murphy, Lockheed Skunkworks Industrial Manager for the A-12 project; Robert Abernathy,Ph.D who invented the J-58 engines that powered the A-12; S. Eugene Poteat who was responsible for assessing Soviet radar threats to the A-12 and SR-71 Aircraft; Col. Kenneth Collins, (Ret) CIA Oxcart project pilot. Collins flew six missions over Vietnam and went on to fly the SR-71; Col Richard Graham USAF (Ret) who was SR-71 Squadron Commander and 9th Reconnaissance Wing Commander; Arthur Beidler USAF (Ret) who was a Photo Interpreter for Operation Blackshield.
These folks protected us in secrecy during the dark years of the Cold War and the plane was designed in the days of slide rules under the direction of engineering genius, Clarence"Kelly" Johnson.
The A-12 program was declassified in 2007 and now these 'Secret Heroes' are speaking at various venues educating us on the challenges, operations and production of the A-12.
Stay tuned for more news as we travel to the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center on Friday. There will be a spectacular presentation in the museum's state of the art IMAX theatre.
Submitted by Connie Pardew
Photos by TD Barnes
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