From: skunk-works-digest-owner@mail.orst.edu To: skunk-works-digest@mail.orst.edu Subject: Skunk Works Digest V5 #179 Reply-To: skunk-works-digest@mail.orst.edu Errors-To: skunk-works-digest-owner@mail.orst.edu Precedence: bulk Skunk Works Digest Tuesday, 10 January 1995 Volume 05 : Number 179 In this issue: Re: Ben Rich Re:Hessdalen lights Mr. Ben Rich Freedom Ridge (Groom Lake) hike 1/21/94 Re: Skunk Works Digest V5 #178 WS125A is...? SR-71 return. Req. for latest. Re: SR-71 return Re- Boscombe Down Crash Re: Re- Boscombe Down Crash OLs, Dets and others, again See the end of the digest for information on subscribing to the skunk-works or skunk-works-digest mailing lists and on how to retrieve back issues. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Belle001@aol.com Date: Fri, 6 Jan 1995 21:14:17 -0500 Subject: Re: Ben Rich The following is an excerpt from the San Jose Mercury... 'SKUNK WORKS' ENGINEER BEN RICH DIES 1/6/95 VENTURA (AP) -- Ben R. Rich, the nationally acclaimed engineer who helped develop the top-secret war planes and stealth fighters at Lockheed Corp.'s Skunk Works, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 69. Mr. Rich, who spent 40 years with the company before retiring as its president in 1991, died at Community Memorial Hospital on Thursday, Lockheed spokesman James Ragsdale said. Mr. Rich had undergone surgery in September 1993 for cancer of the esophagus. ''Ben made many significant contributions to our nation's defense and to Lockheed throughout his long and distinguished career,'' said Daniel M. Tellep, chairman and chief executive officer of Lockheed. ''We will remember and sorely miss his wit, wisdom and sage counsel.'' The super-secret Skunk Works, which operated out of a Lockheed facility in Burbank, earned a reputation as a revolutionary innovator of war planes during the height of the Cold War. Even after the Cold War crumbled, Mr. Rich was reticent about details of his work, which was so clandestine he was not allowed to discuss it even with his wife. Throughout his career, Mr. Rich helped design the U-2 spy plane and the SR-71 Blackbird plane. He also led Lockheed's development of the world's first stealth fighter, the F-117A. Leo Janos, who collaborated with Mr. Rich on the recently published memoir of Mr. Rich's years at Skunk Works, called him ''the father of stealth technology which has revolutionized air warfare as we know it far into the future.'' Mr. Rich was elected vice president of the Calabasas-based Lockheed in 1977. He was named vice president and general manager of the Lockheed Advanced Development Co., informally called Skunk Works, in 1975. He became president in 1990. Last year, Mr. Rich was awarded the Pentagon's highest civilian honor, the Distinguished Service Medal. Born in the Philippine Islands in 1925, Mr. Rich earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master's degree in the same discipline from the University of California, Los Angeles. He also held an advanced management degree from Harvard University. Mr. Rich was a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and won that organization's national aircraft design award in 1972. He also was a fellow of the Institute for the Advancement of Engineering, and a member of Tau Beta Pi, the honorary professional engineering society. He is survived by his wife, Hilda; a son, Michael; and a daughter, Karen. Funeral arrangements are pending. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be made to the University of Southern California-Norris Cancer Hospital or the Flight Test Historical Foundation at Palmdale. MERCURY CENTER CODE: N111 ID: me17717o Transmitted: 95-01-06 10:48:15 EST ------------------------------ From: pwatson@utdallas.edu Date: Fri, 6 Jan 1995 21:41:36 -0600 Subject: Re:Hessdalen lights These sound a lot like the "Marfa" lights in Texas. While on a Geology field trip in 1976 in Big Bend National Park the local Professor at SolRoss told us about these strange lights that appeared out in the desert between Marfa and Alpine Texas. After a few beers we rounded up 30 students and the bus driver and drove the charter Grayhound 10 miles out into the desert. While looking out the window I told my professor wow look at all these ranchers back porch lights, who in their right mind would live out here? He remarked no one, those are the Marfa lights. I said BS and got out with the Astronomy club and their 6" Celestron telescopes and we watched these lights for the next 3 hours. They were real, they were very yellow, they lasted only 1 to 5 minutes each. They would fade in getting brighter over 30 seconds and then they would start to move up and down about 2 degrees and move side ways. They they would slow down and stop and fade out over 30 seconds. There were only 3 to 15 visible at a time. I was crazy with interest but the locals and the professors said this had been going on for 100 years. In WWII some Army airforce planes crashed there thinking it was their airfield. Project BLUEBOOK had come out with chase planes, radio dispatched jeeps and chased them long into the night all to no avail. Some say ball lightning, Indian spirits, swamp gas, inverted headlights from the road over the mountain range but no one knows. I went back 5 years ago and drove my van 80 miles and hour down dirt roads until my brother got sleepy and made me quit. They are there every night, more in spring and fall, they all look like they are a mile away and you can never reach them. I describe it as a man out there pointing a 2 D cell flashlight at you, he starts to move his arms up and down to his limits, he walks sideways to you and then his batteries fade dead. Regards, - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul Watson, pwatson@utdallas.edu "The difference between Purchasing Department death and taxes is death The University of Texas at Dallas doesn't get worse every time DISCLAIMER: MY THOUGHTS ONLY!!! Congress meets." Will Rogers ph# 214/690-2307, fax# 214/690-2348 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ From: ak336@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (John Dill) Date: Sat, 7 Jan 1995 00:46:57 -0500 Subject: Mr. Ben Rich The legacy of Mr. Ben Rich will fly far above the mostly humble pursuits of people like myself. His impact on avaition will perhaps change the lives of us all and I think we who honor spirit and adventure will forever honor the likes of him. When the real movers and shakers leave us....we ought to pause for a moment to reflect on their impact....their legacy to us! Thanks Mr Rich..... - -- "Negative Ghostrider, the pattern is full!" ------------------------------ From: TRADER@cup.portal.com Date: Sat, 7 Jan 95 12:14:22 PST Subject: Freedom Ridge (Groom Lake) hike 1/21/94 [forwarded mail] Subj: Freedom Ridge (Groom Lake) Picnic Jan. 21 Date: January 5, 1995 5:12 PST From: psychospy@ping.ping.com To: psychospy@aol.com [Supplement to the Groom Lake Desert Rat.] Everyone in the world is invited to... THE SECOND ANNUAL COULD-BE-CLOSED-ANY-DAY-NOW FREEDOM RIDGE PICNIC. Taking place SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1995, starting at 11:00 am (or whenever you arrive). Come, bring your lawn chairs, binoculars and picnic lunch. Watch the secret base just sit there. Freedom Ridge is a hill, still on public land, overlooking the "nonexistent" GROOM LAKE AIR BASE featured in recent national newscasts and the LARRY KING UFO SPECIAL. Although you can visit the Ridge at any time (until the land is closed), here is a chance to do it as a communal experience. This event is not to be confused with the "Freedom Ridge End-of- the-World Party," which will be held only when we have a formal closing date. The Air Force is seeking legal control of this land to keep visitors off. Last year at this time, we gathered for our first "Could-Be-Closed-Any-Day-Now Freedom Ridge Picnic," expecting it to be our last chance to see the base. The land is still open, however, thanks to the many federal procedures the Air Force itself must follow to obtain it. At this event, we will relive old times and celebrate the wonders of bureaucracy. DISCLAIMER This is a loosely organized get-together of interested citizens. There is no schedule of events and people can do whatever they want as long as they obey the law. The organizers of this picnic accept no liability whatsoever for any loss or injury. You are responsible for your own safety and for understanding the rules and risks of the place you are visiting. Below we have tried our best to give you the information you'll need to enjoy this event safely. GENERAL PLAN We will meet at 11 am (Pacific Time) at the Freedom Ridge trailhead. (See directions below.) After a briefing, we will proceed to the top by foot or four wheel drive. Stragglers can hike up on their own on a well marked trail when they arrive. At the top, we'll sit around in our lawn chairs, roast wieners over the fire and debate the Meaning ot Life. UFOs and Secret Aircraft are not guaranteed and probably won't appear. LOCATION Freedom Ridge is a hill on public land next to the border of the Nellis Air Force Range about 12 miles west of the Groom Lake air base. The base can be plainly seen in the distance, but you will need binoculars or a telescope for the best view. The location is about 140 road miles north of Las Vegas. The nearest towns are Rachel and Alamo. The terrain is scrub desert at an elevation of 5000 feet. Due to the altitude, patchy snow cover is possible in January, with daytime highs in the 40s or 50s. Weather is usually good, but there is a chance that rain, snow or wind will mar the event. (It will proceed regardless.) Heavy winter clothing, including hat, gloves and thermal underwear should be brought in case they are needed. The summit of Freedom Ridge can be reached by a moderately challenging 50-minute hike from a well-maintained dirt road. The trail is marked by yellow ribbons tied around Joshua trees. Any vehicle can easily make it to the trailhead. The summit can also be reached by a very rugged four wheel drive road taking a different route, which will also be marked. HOW TO GET THERE The Freedom Ridge trailhead is about 2-1/2 hours north of Las Vegas (or 2-1/2 hours east of Tonopah). From Las Vegas, go north on I-15 about 20 miles to US-93 at Exit 64. Go north on US-93 about 85 miles to SR-375. Take SR-375 (not SR-318) west 15 miles until you reach the big dirt road to Groom Lake at milepost 34.6. (It is marked by a stop sign and maybe also a "THIS WAY TO SECRET BASE" sign.) This is a good dirt road that any car can handle. Take the dirt road west 13.6 miles until you see our cars parked beside a "Keep Right" sign. DO NOT DRIVE PAST THE WELL-MARKED MILITARY BORDER JUST BEYOND. Try to park off the road or as far to the right as you can. [For those who want to visit Freedom Ridge on another day, the parking location is beside a "Keep Right" sign about 0.1 mile before the border. Cross the road to find the yellow ribbons tied around Joshua trees, and follow them. Do not cross the border marked by orange posts or any new "Restricted Area" sign. To avoid wandering across the border, do not hike at night. Security guards will watch you but will avoid contact unless you cross the border. Report any incidents to the event coordinator below.] The best place to shop for supplies is Las Vegas. (Try Sahara Ave. west of I-15.) Gas up there, too. There are no gas or groceries between Las Vegas and Alamo. Last gas before Freedom Ridge is at Ash Springs (or Rachel). OPTIONS People can feel free to come and go on any schedule they choose, and the event will disperse whenever people decide to leave. For those who cannot arrive by 11 am, our cars will be easy to find and the trail is clearly marked. Look for instructions posted on one of the cars. This is intended as a day trip, since it is too cold for casual camping (low of 10-30 degrees F). Those who feel comfortable with "polar bear" camping can try spending the night. (We recommend using two or three sleeping bags inside each other, plus a ground cover.) Camping and campfires are allowed almost anywhere on the public land outside the military border, including Freedom Ridge. Motels are available in Rachel or Alamo (Rooms are limited so reservations are essential.), but you can just as easily return to Las Vegas. RISKS - -- The greatest danger in this area is wandering across the well- guarded military border, which is immediately adjacent to Freedom Ridge and the hiking trail. The border is marked by orange posts every 50 yards and stainless steel balls on posts every quarter mile. There is no fence. Wherever a road crosses the border, it is marked by clear Restricted Area signs but no gate or guard house. People who are caught on the other side of the border are immediately detained. A fine of $600 is usual, and you will have to reappear in court if you want the fine reduced. - -- Gas is available at only a few widely separated locations: Las Vegas, Alamo, Ash Springs and Rachel. Be sure to approach the area with a full tank of gas. The Ash Springs gas station is open 24 hours. Rachel's is open only 7am-7pm. - -- Cars can easily get stuck in the sand or on rocks on unmaintained dirt roads. Stay on the maintained dirt road unless you have a four wheel drive. - -- The 50-minute, 1-mile hike can be moderately challenging, but shouldn't be much trouble for most people. The vertical distance traveled is only about 500 feet, but the altitude makes it more tiring than at sea level. People who are seriously out of shape should think twice about hiking. - -- When driving in this area, cattle in the road are a serious danger. Cattle are unfenced and wander freely across the highway. Drive slowly at night. If you hit a cow, you are required by law to report it to the Sheriff or rancher. BRING - -- Binoculars or a telescope are important for viewing the base. There is no legal limit to size and magnification. - -- Wieners and buns will be provided for roasting over the fire, but you should bring your own drinks and a backup lunch in case the wieners run out. If you come at 11 am, there will be four wheel drives available to transport your lunch to the top; otherwise, you should be prepared to carry it yourself. - -- Bring folding lawn chairs if you have them. SANITATION "Powder room" opportunities will be limited. A primitive latrine will be erected at the summit of Freedom Ridge, but it won't be pretty. The gentlemen shouldn't have much difficulty finding discrete locations, but the ladies must plan ahead and take advantage of their opportunities. Away from the ridge, all of Nevada is at your disposal. EXPECTATIONS Some people may be disappointed by the view from Freedom Ridge. What you see in the distance appears to be an ordinary Air Force base--albeit a very large one--beside a dry lake bed. No flying saucers or underground cities are evident. On weekends, the base is usually very quiet, with little aircraft or vehicle traffic. The main satisfaction is derived from the fact that this base "isn't there" officially. The best viewing time is in the morning, when the sun is behind you. SECURITY The border area is actively patrolled by an anonymous force of security guards wearing camouflage fatigues and driving white Jeep Cherokees. These "Cammo Dudes" watch Freedom Ridge with high power binoculars and video cameras that are capable of reading car license plates from a mile away. These guards are under orders to avoid contact with visitors (unless you cross the border). If they feel you have violated a law on public land, they will call the Lincoln County Sheriff to investigate. In this open terrain, the Sheriff can be seen coming from miles away. The radio frequencies for the Sheriff are 154.86 and 155.77 MHz. The radio frequencies for the security patrols are usually scrambled; they include 418.05, 408.4, 142.2, 170.5 and 138.3. Groom Lake aircraft frequencies are: 120.35, 127.65, 118.45 and 261.1. Be aware that the security patrols may record your license plate numbers and run them for identification. FREE-SPEECH PROTEST (OPTIONAL) According to a 1948 federal law (18 USC 795), it is illegal to take or publish photographs of any military installation designated by the President as requiring such protection--but since the base does not officially exist it is hard to say what should or should not be photographed. No one has ever been prosecuted for taking pictures of the base, but the 1948 law has been used by the local Sheriff's Dept. to confiscate film from visitors. Regardless of what the film contains, it "vanishes" into Air Force hands and is never returned. To protest the arbitrary seizing of film from visitors and the withholding of it without due process, we will be conducting a "Freedom Ridge Camera and Video Show" to coincide with the picnic. Participants are invited to bring cameras and display them proudly on the ridge. The "cameras" do not have to be functional or real, and to avoid the charge of inciting a federal crime, we cannot recommend that you bring film or video tape. Your "camera" should be displayed only in the company of the group, since our strength lies in numbers. If, by chance, you are stopped by the Sheriff and are asked any question about photography, you should politely decline to provide any information and should not turn over any of your property without a warrant. You also should not reveal to your fellow visitors whether or not you have film in your camera, since there could be spies among us. (They're invited, too!) This is the second such "Freedom Ridge Camera and Video Show." For the first, last August, the authorities kept their distance (except for a pleasant BLM ranger in a Smoky Bear hat), and there was no confrontation. This time, we'll have to try harder. COURTESIES - -- Stay away from the rancher's compound. - -- Do not litter. - -- Do not bring drugs or any other illegal substances. - -- Firearms are discouraged. - -- Obey the speed limit and other commonsense laws, especially within Lincoln County. - -- Respect the land. - -- Do not steal the Restricted Area signs. - -- Do not taunt or moon the Cammo Dudes. ACCOMMODATIONS If you plan to spend a night in Las Vegas en route, be aware that rooms in the city itself can be expensive and hard to find on weekends. We recommend staying outside the city in one of the big casino hotels at Stateline or Jean. Try Prima Donna (Exit 1 on I- 15) at 800-367-7383 or Nevada Landing (Exit 12 on I-15) at 800- 628-6682. Both are about $32 on Friday & Saturday nights and $18 on other nights. Locally, the Little A-Le-Inn in Rachel has a limited number of rooms. Call 702-729-2515. In Alamo, the Meadow Lane Motel and Alamo Motel can both be reached at 702-725-3371. Rates here are $25-$35. VIEWER'S GUIDE Detailed information on the area can be found in the "Area 51 Viewer's Guide." This 110-page visitor's guide includes maps, milepost logs, reference list, equipment advice and other information useful to travelers and researchers. It is available for $15 plus $3.50 priority mail postage from: Area 51 Research Center, HCR Box 38, Rachel, NV 89001. If time is short, it can also be ordered by telephone from the Event Coordinator. FINAL If this document doesn't answer your questions, feel free to email psychospy@aol.com or contact the Event Coordinator, Glenn Campbell, at 702-729-2648. (Only collect calls can be returned.) Feel free to copy this document and post it or send it to whomever you wish. ### ------------------------------ From: DWalizer@aol.com Date: Sun, 8 Jan 1995 15:57:33 -0500 Subject: Re: Skunk Works Digest V5 #178 In the January issue of "Air Force Magazine", there is another story on the A-12. This is a continuation of the article they published in their November issue on the development and use of the A-12. This particular article deals with project "Black Shield" and the overflights of North Viet Nam and North Korea. Nothing real new, but just a good article on the history and use of the Blackbirds, with the usual good photos. ------------------------------ From: freeman@netcom.com (Jay Reynolds Freeman) Date: Sun, 8 Jan 1995 20:53:08 -0800 Subject: WS125A is...? Will some Skunker remind me briefly of what aerospace weapons system goes by id "WS-125A"? EMail is fine. Thanks. -- Jay Freeman (freeman@netcom.com) ------------------------------ From: Adrian Thurlow Date: Mon, 9 Jan 95 12:41:57 +0000 Subject: SR-71 return. Req. for latest. Hi Skunkworkers, Mary recently posted an article briefly giving details of how NASA was to loan the 'spare' bird back to the air force so they could make a certain deadline. I assume that this was in response to a previous message that I did not get. What is the story and is there any latest news? Regards Adrian Thurlow / Det.4 9th SRW \ Technology Integration / \ BT Labs / _ \ Martlesham Heath ____(( ))_________/_/_\_\_________(( ))____ Ipswich \ \_/ / Suffolk U.K. Now only distant thunder Tel. +44 1473 644880 Fax. +44 1473 646534 e-mail. Adrian.Thurlow@bt-sys.bt.co.uk The views expressed above are not necessarily those of BT. ------------------------------ From: Adrian Thurlow Date: Mon, 9 Jan 95 17:02:27 +0000 Subject: Re: SR-71 return John writes: >I thought I had read that there were more than one (three?) returning to >celebrate something or other. I maybe wrong though.... >The SR-71 was certainly a great bird.... >I often wonder why the USAF gave it up without a fight...Aurora maybe? >Cheers >John John you are correct, three are due to return to service. My post was regarding the loan of NASA's spare bird to meet a certain deadline in the air forces schedule. BTW. What finer epitaph is there when 30 years on from design the SR-71 cannot be replaced by newer designs. Thanks Kelly and Ben. Regards Adrian Thurlow / Det.4 9th SRW \ Technology Integration / \ BT Labs / _ \ Martlesham Heath ____(( ))_________/_/_\_\_________(( ))____ Ipswich \ \_/ / Suffolk U.K. Now only distant thunder Tel. +44 1473 644880 Fax. +44 1473 646534 e-mail. Adrian.Thurlow@bt-sys.bt.co.uk The views expressed above are not necessarily those of BT. ------------------------------ From: "Clarence Dent" Date: 10 Jan 1995 07:20:08 -0800 Subject: Re- Boscombe Down Crash Subject:Re: Boscombe Down Crash Jack, I might have an answer to the Boscombe Down Crash. Has anyone checked the location of the remaining flightworthy YF-22, or the two YF-23s? It is very much possible that we are sharing technology. The last I heard, NASA at Ames-Dryden owned the '23s, while the YF-22 was undergoing some special ground testing (environmental?) Perhaps Mary Shafer would have a scoop on this. Let's not invent new planes if we can resurrect good existing ones! relevant text follows: From: jackg@holobyte.com Date: Wed, 4 Jan 1995 16:18:50 -0800 Subject: Re: Boscombe Down Crash Subject: Re: Boscombe Down Crash Author: Jack Gibbons at Spectrum Date: 1/3/95 2:14 PM A person told me recently that one day, while viewing Area 51, he saw a small fighter size twin tail aircraft land on the runway after deploying a drag chute and then taxing (sp?) into the scoot & hide hanger near the runway. The person couldn't make out any detail or specific color of the aircraft other than what I just described. This sounds like it could be a similar aircraft to the one that crashed at Boscombe Down. Any opinions? - -Clarence "Stealth is a technologically relative term." ------------------------------ From: "Andre Molyneux" Date: Tue, 10 Jan 1995 10:08:06 -0800 Subject: Re: Re- Boscombe Down Crash On Jan 10, 7:20, Clarence Dent wrote: > Subject: Re- Boscombe Down Crash > > I might have an answer to the Boscombe Down Crash. Has anyone checked > the location of the remaining flightworthy YF-22, or the two YF-23s? > It is very much possible that we are sharing technology. The last I > heard, NASA at Ames-Dryden owned the '23s, while the YF-22 was > undergoing some special ground testing (environmental?) >-- End of excerpt from Clarence Dent Er, there isn't a flightworthy YF-22 anymore. One prototype crashed, and the other was used for some sort of static ground testing that rendered it unflyable. When last heard from, people at Edwards stated that the YF-23's were sitting on the tarmac and weren't going to be flown (and in fact that the agreement with the Air Force by which they obtained the planes specifically prohibits them being flown). This despite a published report somewhere that claimed that NASA was preparing one of the two for flight. Whatever was at Boscombe Down, it wasn't an ATF prototype. - -- Andre +--------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Andre Molyneux KA7WVV | -=-------- PYRAMID TECHNOLOGY CORP | | Internet: andrem@pyramid.com | ---===------ 3860 N. First Street | | Packet: | -----=====---- San Jose, CA | | ka7wvv@n0ary.#nocal.ca.usa.na |-------=======-- (408) 428-8229 | +--------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ ------------------------------ From: Kathryn & Andreas Gehrs-Pahl Date: Wed, 11 Jan 1995 01:02:17 -0500 (EST) Subject: OLs, Dets and others, again Here is the corrected and completed list of OLs and Dets. Det X (USAF / CIA), Detachments): - ---------------------------------- Detachment, USAF / CIA deployment base for U-2 reconnaissance aircraft (later OL-n, then to OL-XX and Det n), where _X_ is a capital letter: Det A - RAF Lakenheath, England, 1st WRSP, (WRSP-1), (Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, Provisional), moved to: - Wiesbaden AB, Germany, moved to: - Giebelstadt AB, Germany Det B - Incirlik AFB, Turkey, 2nd WRSP, (WRSP-2), later also known as: Det 10-10, or TUSLOG (Turkey-US Logistics Group) Det C - Atsugi AB, Japan, 3rd WRSP, (WRSP-3) Det D - ? Det E - ? Det F - ? Det _ - Groom (Dry) Lake Test Facility, 4th WRSP, (WRSP-4), also known as: 'Watertown Strip', 'Aerea 51', 'The Area', 'The Ranch', 'Paradise Ranch', 'Dreamland', with U-2, moved 6/1960 to: Det G - Edwards AFB, North Base, California, USAF Flight Test Center, also known as 'Special Projects Branch', - 1969 redesignated 1130th ATTG, and belonging to ARDC, together with the 6512th TG (also at Edwards AFB) Det G'- Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, (pronounced "G prime"), ground crew from Det G to suport aircraft and pilots drom Det H Det H - Taoyuan AB, Taiwan, 35th Squadron, 'Black Cats', 6th Group, RoCAF OL-n (USAF, Operating Locations): - --------------------------------- Operating Location, SAC deployment base for U-2 and SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft (later called Det n), where _n_ is a sequence number: OL-1 - ? OL-2 - ? OL-3 - ? OL-4 - ? OL-5 - Eielson AFB, Alaska, U-2, (HASP-deployment 1958 - 3/1960) OL-6 - ? OL-7 - ? OL-8 - Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, U-2, SR-71, also known as: OL-RK, (OLRK), then OL-KA, (OLKA), later to Det 1 OL-9 - ? OL-10 - ? OL-11 - RAAF Laverton, East Sale, Australia, U-2, (HASP-deployment 11/1960 and 10/1961), moved to: - RAAF Avalon, Australia, U-2, (the very last HASP-deployment 2/1965), and back to: - RAAF Laverton, Australia, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment 7/1966) OL-12 - ? OL-13 - ? OL-14 - ? OL-15 - ? OL-16 - ? OL-17 - ? OL-18 - Howard AFB, Panama Canal Zone, U-2, (HASP-deployment), and - Albrook AFB, Panama Canal Zone, U-2, (HASP-deployment and HiCAT-deployment) OL-19 - Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, U-2, (including HiCAT deployment), moved 1969 to: - McCoy AFB, Florida, U-2 OL-20 - Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam, also known as: 'Lucky Dragon', 'Giant Dragon', and 'Trojan Horse', U-2, moved 7/1970 to: - U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand, U-2, to OL-RU, (OLRU), redesignated 99th SRS (November 1972) OL-XX (USAF, Operating Locations): - ---------------------------------- Operating Location, SAC deployment base for U-2 and SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft (before and later called Det n), where _XX_ is a two letter code: OL-RK - Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, U-2 and SR-71, also known as: OL-8, OL-KA, (OLKA), (OLRK), later to Det 1, (disestablished ?), (OL-8 became OL-RK on 10/30/1970, later changed to OL-KA), (OL-RK stands for "Operating Location - Ryukyys", a chain of islands, Okinawa is part of) OL-KA - Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, U-2 and SR-71, also known as: OL-8, OL-RK, (OLRK), (OLKA), later to Det 1, (disestablished ?), (OL-RK became OL-KA on 10/21/1971, to Det 1 in 08/1974), (OL-KA stands for "Operating Location - Kadena") OL-RU - U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand, U-2, previously known as: OL-20 (at Bien Hoa, Vietnam, moved to U-Tapao RTAFB in 07/1970), (redesignated 99th SRS, 11/1972, and moved back to Beal AFB, CA) (OL-RU stands probably for "Operating Location RTAFB U-Tapao" ?) OL-OH - RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, U-2, also known as: (OLOH), later to Det 3, (1992 redesignated 5th RS, 9th RW), missions were code named 'Olive Harvest', maybe nicknamed 'Fantasy Island' (source 11), (OL-OH probably stands for "Operating Location - 'Olive Harvest'" OL-CH - Taif, Saudi Arabia, 1700th RW(P), U-2, (during Desert Shield/Desert Storm and follow-up), missions were code named 'Camel Hump', (OL-CH probably stands for "Operating Location - Camel Hump" ?) OL-UK - RAF Alconbury, UK, U-2, previously designated 95th TRS, 17th RW, (inactivated 09/15/1993, while operations continue as OL-UK), (OL-UK stands for "Operating Location - United Kingdom") Det n (USAF, Detachments): - -------------------------- Detachment, SAC deployment base for U-2 and SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft (previously OL-n), where _n_ is (usually) a sequence number: Det 1 - Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, 1129th SAS, A-12, and 9th SRW, U-2, SR-71, (ex OL-KA, (OLKA), ex OL-RK, (OLRK), ex OL-8) Det 2 - Osan AB, South Korea, 9th SRW, redesignated 6th RS, 9th RW, U-2 Det 3 - Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico, U-2, (HASP-deployment 1958, MIDAS-deployment and HiCAT-deployment), moved to: - RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, 9th SRW, redesignated 5th RS, 9th RW, U-2, (ex OL-OH, (OLOH)), maybe nicknamed 'Fantasy Island' Det 4 - Plattsburgh AFB, New York, U-2, (HASP-deployment), moved to: - Ezeiza AB, Argentina, U-2, (HASP-deployment 9/11/58 to 8/1959 and 5/1960 to 6/1960), moved to: - RAF Mildenhall, UK, 99th SRS, 9th SRW, established 3/31/1979, U-2 and SR-71A, (the U-2s moved 1980 to RAF Alconbury, UK, becoming the 95th TRS, 17th RW, 1991 to OL-UK), 1980 - 1991 only SR-71 Det 5 - Patrick AFB, Florida, 9th SRW, U-2, (MIDAS-deployment and HiCAT-deployment) Det 51 - Palmdale, California, Air Force Plant 42, Lockheed Plant 10, (ex Site II), 2762th Logistics Squadron, AFLC, U-2 and SR-71, (before 12/31/1970, operations were part of AFSC), reorganisation 09/1977 to: Det 6 - Palmdale, California, Air Force Plant 42, Lockheed Plant 10, (ex Site II), 2762th Logistics Squadron, AFLC, (ex Det 51), U-2 and SR-71, (Headquaters at Norton AFB, California) Det 10-10 - Incirlik AFB, Turkey, also known as TUSLOG (Turkey-US Logistics Group), ex Det B (or 2nd WRSP), U-2 Main Bases and SAC / TAC / ACM Wings: - ------------------------------------- - - Turner AFB, Georgia, 4080th SRW(L), (established April, 1, 1956), equipped with RB-57D, moved Febrary-April 1957 to: - - Laughlin AFB, Texas, 4080th SRW(L), equipped with U-2 and RB-57D, redesignated 4080th SRW, (June 15, 1963), finished July 1963 move to: - - Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, 4080th SRW, redesignated 100th SRW, (June 15, 1966), became 100th AREFW at Beal AFB, with KC-135, and U-2 operations transferred to 9th SRW, (March/April 1976), at: - - Beal AFB, California, 4200th SRW, (established January 1, 1965), with SR-71 and T-38, redesignated 9th SRW, (established June 25, 1966), combining all operational SR-71 and U-2, (March/April 1976), all SR-71 retiered (January 26, 1990), redesignated 9th RW, (1992), with U-2 and T-38 - - RAF Alconbury, UK, 17th RW, (established 1976), with U-2, ex Det 4, inactivated (September 15, 1993), operations continue as OL-UK SAC / TAC / ACM Squadrons: - -------------------------- - - 4080th SRW(L) / 4025th SRS(L) 'Black Knights', (activated June 8, 1955), at Lockbourne AFB, Ohio, no aircraft assigned/received, moved: to Turner AFB, Georgia, equipped with RB-57D, (May 1956), moved: to Laughlin AFB, Texas, (February/May 1957), deactivated June 15, 1960, RB-57D retired, 4080th SRW / 4025th RS, (reactivated July 1, 1965), at Davis-Monthan AFB, with AQM/BQM-34, (ex Operation 'Lightning Bug'), 100th SRW / 350th SRS, (redesignated June 15, 1966), deactivated 1976, when all SAC RPV assets were transferred to TAC - - 4080th SRW / 4028th SRS, (activated May 1, 1956) at Laughlin AFB, Texas, equipped with U-2, (June 11, 1957) 4028th SRWS, (redesignated June 13, 1957), moved: to Davis-Monthan AFB, (July 1963), 100th SRW / 349th SRS, (redesignated June 15, 1966), all U-2 operation transferred to 99th SRS, (1976), 100th AREFW / 349th AREFS, (redesignated 1976), with KC-135 - - 4080th SRW(L) / 4029th SRS(L), (paper unit, allocated April 1, 1956), deactivated 1960, 9th SRW / 4029th SRTS, (reactivated August 1, 1981), with U-2R, SR-71, ad T-38 9th SRW / 5th SRTS 'The Dragon Tamers', (redesignated 1976), deactivated (?), - - 9th SRW / 1st SRS, (activated 1960), with SR-71, 9th RW / 1st RS, (redesignated 1992), with U-2 and T-38 - - 9th RW / 5th RS, (established 1992), with U-2, (at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, (ex Det 3), - - 9th RW / 7th RS, (established 1992), with U-2, (at Osan AB, South Korea, (ex Det 2), - - 9th SRW / 99th SRS, (established June 1966), with SR-71, deactivated (as SR-71 squadron) (April 1, 1971), 9th SRW / 99th SRS, (re-established November 1972), with U-2, (ex OL-RU at U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand), 9th RW / 99th RS, (redesignated 1992) - - 17th RW / 95th TRS, (established 1976), with U-2, (at RAF Alconbury, UK, from ex Det 4), inactivated (September 15, 1993), operations continue as OL-UK Other Units: - ------------ - - 1129th SAS, Groom (Dry) Lake, Nevada, (Special Activities Squadron), (deployed only operational to Det 1, Kadena AB, Okinawa), established 1961/62 (?), CIA operated, deactivated June 1968, with A-12 - - 1130th ATTG, Edwards AFB, North Base, California, USAF Flight Test Center, (Air Technical Training Group), also known as 'Special Projects Branch', ex 4th WRSP, (WRSP-4), ex Det G, established mid-1969, (belonged to ARDC), CIA operated, deactivated mid-1974, with U-2 - - 2762th LS, Palmdale, Airforce Plant 42, (Logistics Squadron), (belongs to AFLC), U-2 and SR-71 - - 1700th RW(P), Taif, Saudi Arabia, (Reconnaissance Wing (Provisional)), (also known as OL-CH), with U-2 - - 4200th TW, Beal AFB, California, (Test Wing), with B-52H and D-21 - - 4786th TS, Edwards AFB, North Base, California, (Test Squadron), designated January 16, 1970, (ex SR-71/YF-12 Test Force, established June 1965), with YF-12 (and SR-71 ?) - - 6512th TG, Edwards AFB, North Base, California, (Test Group), (belongs to ARDC), with U-2 Other Operating Locations may include the following bases and air fields around the world: OL-x - Anderson AFB, Guam, U-2, (HASP-deployment) OL-x - Bodo AB, Norway, U-2 and SR-71 OL-x - Charbatia, India, U-2 OL-x - Diego Garcia AFB, Guam, U-2 and SR-71 (once) OL-x - Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment) OL-x - Fiji Islands, U-2, (HASP-deployment and HiCAT-deployment) OL-x - Griffiss AFB, New York, SR-71 OL-x - Hanscom AFB, Alaska, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment) OL-x - Hickam AFB, Hawai, U-2, (HASP-deployment and HiCAT-deployment) OL-x - Kunsan AB, South Korea, U-2, (1960s) OL-x - Lahore, Pakistan, U-2 OL-x - Loring AFB, Maine, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment) OL-x - Meshad, Iran, U-2 OL-x - Minot AFB, North Dakota, U-2, (HASP-deployment 9/1959) OL-x - NAS Cubi Point, Philippines, U-2 OL-x - Offut AFB, Nebraska, U-2 OL-x - Peshawar, Pakistan, U-2 OL-x - RAE Bedford, UK, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment 3/1967) OL-x - RAF Watton, UK, U-2, (RAF testing ) OL-x - RAF Wethersfield, UK, U-2, (ALSS-deployment Summer 1975) OL-x - RNZAF Christchurch, New Zealand, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment 6/1966) OL-x - San Angelo, Texas, U-2, (HASP-deployment) OL-x - Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, SR-71 OL-x - Sioux City, Iowa, U-2, (HASP-deployment) OL-x - Warner-Robins AFB, Georgia, U-2 and SR-71, (SYPO - Senior Year Programs Office) OL-x - Zahedan airstrip, Iran, U-2 Civil Airports: - --------------- - - Burbank Airport, California, Lockheed Corporation, U-2 and SR-71 - - Van Nuys Airport, California, Lockheed Corporation, U-2 Aircraft Carrier: - ----------------- CVA-61 - USS Ranger - used for tests Mar. 2/5, 1964, (U-2G 'N801X' and 'N808X'), with 'ONR' titles, and operationally in May 1964 for 'Operation Seeker') and maybe again in 1965/66 CVA-63 - USS Kitty Hawk - used for initial U-2A carrier tests in August of 1963, (U-2A 'N315X') CVA-66 - USS America - used for U-2R carrier qualification in November of 1969, (U-2R 'N812X') There are more locations, especially deployments of NASA aircraft, which I have missed, please feel free to correct me and add your own $0.02 :) Sources: ======== 1) Dragon Lady - The History of the U-2 Spyplane, by Chris Pocock 2) Lockheed U-2 - AeroGraph 3, by Jay Miller 3) Lockheed U-2R/TR-1 - Aerofax Minigraph 28, by Jay Miller and Chris Pocock 4) Skunk Works - The First Fifty Years, by Jay Miller 5) Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, by Paul F. Crickmore 6) Lockheed SR-71 - The Secret Missions Exposed, by Paul F. Crickmore 7) U-2 Spyplane in action, squadron/signal 86, by Larry Davis 8) SR-71 Blackbird in action, squadron/signal 55, by Lou Drendal 9) Gulf Air War Debrief, World Air Power Journal, Editor: Stan Morse 10) United States Air Force Yearbook 1994 11) The Black Watch, by Gann (which I don't know/have) 12) The Oxcart Story, by "Thomas P. McIninch" 13) email from John Stone and many other. - -- Andreas - --- --- Andreas & Kathryn Gehrs-Pahl Absolute Software 313 West Court St. #305 schnars@umcc.ais.org Flint, MI 48502-1239 Tel: (810) 238-8469 - --- --- ------------------------------ End of Skunk Works Digest V5 #179 ********************************* To subscribe to skunk-works-digest, send the command: subscribe skunk-works-digest in the body of a message to "majordomo@mail.orst.edu". 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