Supersonic stories: SR-71 Blackbird veterans visit RAF Mildenhall

U.S. Air Force Col. (ret.) Buz Carpenter, former SR-71 Blackbird instructor pilot, shares some of his memories of flying the supersonic aircraft with the audience at RAF Mildenhall, England, July 27, 2026. Carpenter and other SR-71 veteran pilots, aircrew and maintainers, along with their family members, received mission briefings and a tour of the base, including hangars where they once worked, and static displays. The Blackbird was assigned to Detachment 4, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, out of RAF Mildenhall from 1976 to 1990, and 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of its arrival here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere)

PHOTO BY: Karen Abeyasekere
VIRIN: 260727-F-EJ686-1035.JPG
FULL SIZE: 1.94 MB
Additional Details

CAMERA

NIKON Z 7_2

LENS

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

APERTURE

280/100

SHUTTERSPEED

10/1250

ISO

5600

IMAGE IS PUBLIC DOMAIN

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This photograph is considered public domain and has been cleared for release. If you would like to republish please give the photographer appropriate credit. Further, any commercial or non-commercial use of this photograph or any other DoD image must be made in compliance with guidance found at https://www.dma.mil/Services/Visual-Information/References/Limitations/, which pertains to intellectual property restrictions (e.g., copyright and trademark, including the use of official emblems, insignia, names and slogans), warnings regarding use of images of identifiable personnel, appearance of endorsement, and related matters.

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