This week in Beale History: SR-71 revealed

Published July 24, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo
9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- On July 25, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson revealed the existence of the SR-71 or RS-71.

Then Air Force Chief of Staff General Curtiss Lemay preferred the SR (Strategic Reconnaissance) designation and wanted the RS-71 to be named the SR-71.

After some debate, the designation was changed prior to the President's speech.

Unfortunately, the information was not relayed in time for the media transcripts, which still had the RS-71 designation, thus creating the rumor that the president misread the aircraft's designation.

The Blackbird was an advanced, long-range, supersonic strategic reconnaissance aircraft that called Beale Air Force Base home from January 1966 to January 1990.

It was developed in secrecy by Lockheed's Skunk Works division in Palmdale, Calif. Aerospace engineer Clarence "Kelly" Johnson was responsible for many of the aircraft's innovative concepts.