In this book, I set out to answer every question I’ve ever been asked about what it was like to fly the Blackbird. I’ve also included dozens of remarkable photographs taken by Lockheed photographer Eric Schulzinger. Many of these were captured from the back seat of my Air Force T-38 while conducting photo-chase missions alongside the Blackbird.

In 1987, shortly before the SR-71 was retired from operational service, Lockheed produced a documentary about the aircraft. Because my RSO, John Manzi, and I contributed to that year-long project, they presented me with a binder containing more than a hundred 8x10 photographs. At the time, I thought, “Someday I’ll write a book and include all these photos.”

I carried that collection with me for 25 years, until I finally retired from flying. This book is the result—featuring many of those images. I hope you enjoy it.