I was lucky enough to work on the SR -71 program on the elint intel and ops sides at the Strategic Reconnaissance Center, Offutt, AFB from 1971-1975. I was involved with mission planning, flight following/threat awareness and coordination of various kinds. Never so much as got close to the aircraft itself but always thankful I got to be involved and I always wanted to see a triethylborane start with the aid of Buick and Chevy engines (look it up)!
There were drones back then too and not just the D-21. So many people think drones are something new. I worked on the Buffalo Hunter program (Ryan Firebee derived) there as well. We also were primary threat monitors for the U-2 missions. I was very fortunate to be there. Interestingly, I later worked in inertial systems for the company that made the star tracker based INS system, a system that was also used in the B-52 for a long time until the advent of RLG's which were nowhere near as accurate (good enough) but anvil reliable. The electrostatically suspended gyro inertial system was *invented* by Arnold Nordsieck, an unknown hero, for use on nuclear submarines but later adapted to the U-2, B-52, SR-71 and other uses. Incredibly accuate (no, really) and, with the astro-tracker for updating, unbelieveably so. Amazing, amazing stuff.