Lockheed SR-71 Operations in Europe and Middle East (C.A. #80)

First employed in the Far East over North Vietnam and North Korea, American military intelligence quickly realized the SR-71 'Blackbird's' potential value over European targets. In 1976, SR-71 Detachment 4 commenced operations from the RAF base at Middenhall in the UK. Its mission was to monitor Warsaw Pact troop movements along the Iron Curtain and photograph the various ports that were home to the Soviet Union's nuclear submarine fleet. Despite the best efforts of the USSR, they were never able to intercept a 'Blackbird' in flight. What makes this particular book such a great read is the depth of information provided on operations of the time. The accounts of the pilots and others involved (including those of pilots sent up to try and intercept the Blackbird) adds much to making this such a fascinating book. Add to that the great choice of photos and several pages of well drawn profiles and you have a book that I know you will enjoy. "Scott Van Aken, Modeling Madness, www.modelingmadness.com (February 2010)" Paul F. Crickmore's Lockheed SR-71 Operations in Europe and the Middle East provides a fine addition to the Osprey Combat Aircraft series, covering tensions around the deployment of the aircraft and its mission to monitor Warsaw pact troop movements and photograph ports. "The Bookwatch (December 2009)""