Setting World Records

I meet aviation’s heroes

by Tom A.

From 1971 to 1997, I met the who’s who of aviation—famed test pilot Kelly Johnson, Skunk Works Director Ben Rich and pilot Francis Gary Powers—and Lockheed employees at Burbank, Beale Air Force Base and Okinawa.

I was a member of the United States Air Force SR-71 System Program Office, working with Kelly Johnson and Skunk Works. During my tenure, we set the absolute world speed record and the New York-to-London record.

I also had a successful career at Lockheed Missiles and Space Company on the Milstar program. These were wonderful years!

SR-71 Test Crew