Blackbird Day celebrates fastest men alive

Maj. Gen. Eldon “Al” Joersz, Lt. Col. George “GT” Morgan and their team knew the SR-71 Blackbird was capable of breaking the world absolute speed record. On July 28, 1976, in honor of the bicentennial of the United States, the pair flew the plane above Beale Air Force Base in California with one goal in mind — to become the fastest men alive.

That day, they flew at 2,193 miles per hour — faster than a speeding bullet, faster than Superman and faster than any other plane had ever gone.

Forty years after the record-breaking flight, the Museum of Aviation reunites Joersz and Morgan along with other Blackbird veterans for a series of panels Saturday.

“They have very interesting stories to tell,” said Mike Rowland, curator at the Museum of Aviation. “They’re very human, so it’s an opportunity to meet these guys.”

Joersz and Morgan will speak while another veteran moderates. Two more panels with other SR-71 veterans, including pilots, RSOs and maintenance people, will discuss their experiences with the Blackbird later in the day.

The event is free to the public and will last from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Additionally, the museum will sell “make and take” SR-71 model kits, and food trucks will provide lunch.

The SR-71 Blackbird has been on display inside the museum since 1995 after more than 20 years of missions.

Blackbird Day serves as a public event as well as a reunion for many of the veterans involved with the plane, according to Tyler Bryant, public relations and marketing director for the museum.

“This is their Blackbird,” he said.

This story was originally published July 27, 2016 at 2:51 PM with the headline "Blackbird Day celebrates fastest men alive."