Supersonic stories: SR-71 Blackbird veterans visit RAF Mildenhall

U.S. Air Force Maj. (ret.) Robert Rieser, veteran and former SR-71 Blackbird intelligence officer, holds up computer data cards for the aircraft’s astro-intertial navigation system during a visit at RAF Mildenhall, England, July 27, 2026. Between 1982 and 1986, Rieser was chief of the collection management branch of Detachment 4, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, and was responsible for building sensor actions into SR-71 flight paths, scheduling missions and coordinating theater and national collection requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere)

PHOTO BY: Karen Abeyasekere
VIRIN: 260727-F-EJ686-2119.JPG
FULL SIZE: 2.79 MB
Additional Details

CAMERA

NIKON Z 7_2

LENS

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

APERTURE

280/100

SHUTTERSPEED

10/60

ISO

250

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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