SR-71 Pilot Buz Carpenter Recalls 230 Missions and Extreme Flight Conditions
Retired Air Force Colonel Adelbert 'Buz' Carpenter detailed his six-year career flying the SR-71 Blackbird, highlighting the rigorous selection process, unique training methods, and extreme operational conditions. Carpenter, who completed 230 missions, described the aircraft's thermal expansion, the necessity of pre-breathe oxygen protocols, and the specific risks associated with takeoff and landing. He recounted close calls in Okinawa and England, emphasizing the critical role of the Reconnaissance Systems Officer and the aircraft's unique fuel efficiency at high speeds.