Retired Colonel To Visit Baylor, Speak On "Blackbird" Oct. 24

by LoAna Lopez

Col. Richard H. Graham, a retired U.S. Air Force pilot who flew the world's fastest airplane -- the SR-71 "Blackbird" -- from 1974 until 1981, will talk about the aircraft during a visit to the Baylor University campus. The discussion, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Room 109 of the Rogers Engineering and Computer Science Building.
In 1981, Graham was selected to serve as the SR-71 Squadron Commander of the 1st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron. In 1982, he was assigned to the Pentagon before returning to Beale Air Force Base in Marysville, Calif., in 1986 as the 9th Vice Wing Commander. He was selected to be the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing Commander in 1987, and retired in 1989 after 25 years in the Air Force.
During his visit, Graham will talk about his book, SR-71 Revealed: The Inside Story. He will be available to answer questions after his talk. Refreshments will be served following the discussion.
For more information on Graham, visit www.habu.org/graham/graham-bio.html .
For more information on Graham's book, visit www.habu.org/graham/ .
To ask questions about Graham's visit, contact Cindy Fry, lecturer in engineering and computer science at Cindy_Fry@baylor.edu or 710-4874.