SR-71 pilot remembers when his RSO Flipped Off a French Air Force Mirage III Pilot (Then They lit their Blackbird’s Afterburners and Outran him)

Key Points:

• The SR-71, developed by Lockheed's Skunk Works, was the fastest jet-propelled reconnaissance aircraft and played a crucial intelligence role in conflicts such as the Yom Kippur War, Israeli invasion of Lebanon, US raid on Libya, and Iranian missile discoveries before ceasing operations in 1990.
• A notable 1982 mission over Lebanon involved flying at Mach 3 and above 80,000 feet to evade a Soviet SA-5 missile system near Damascus, during which the aircraft was actively tracked but successfully completed its reconnaissance run.
• After encountering a low-oil-pressure warning, the SR-71 crew chose to cross France without clearance, leading to a tense encounter with a French Mirage III pilot, whom the crew humorously responded to with a middle finger gesture before escaping at high speed.
• The story highlights both the technical prowess and daring nature of SR-71 missions, with personal accounts from pilots like Lt. Colonel William Burk Jr. providing insight into the aircraft's operational challenges and Cold War-era reconnaissance activities.
• Enthusiasts and historians can find additional SR-71 photos and stories on social media pages such as Linda Sheffield Miller’s Twitter and Facebook accounts dedicated to the Blackbird legacy.