Whether it's public or private - the concept, mission, and operational implementation of so-called security at airports hasn't been effective and useful, except to spend more tax dollars and give the masses a warm & fuzzy of protection/security. Congress created another useless government bureaucracy which is ineffective, lacks effective leadership, training & professionalism.

"Thousands Standing Around" (TSA). The most ineffective and wasteful use of taxpayer money. They have no meaningful mission other than to give the impression of "make citizens feel secure" - :thumbdown:

United States Air Force 1957-1977, Retired. Served with SR-71, U-2 Reconn programs, Airborne Command Post.

I would hope that in 2016 everyone who has voiced their opinion VOTES for change. The initial post began over a year ago and thus far hasn't offered any solutions, just venting.
And for those who post and are "in hiding" it's difficult to understand why not provide more info - at a minimum a geographical area with the U.S.

F-4, I just love to look at that aircraft and watch it flying. I was at Eglin when the 33rd TFW deployed to Nam.

The a/c did not have its own guards when traveling. We used the security police at the host base who were trained and qualified to guard a "Class A aircraft). Because of the unique nature of the systems, fuel, starter carts, and sensors, etc., anytime the aircraft departed its home base and arrived at another base, all equipment, maintenance personnel fuel and fuel trucks etc would have to been deployed. Everything was one-of-a-kind and very expensive to deploy to just any base. The SR required special training in all aspects, from security, engineering, maintenance, sensors mission planning and security. A dedicated and motivated team of both contractors and AF personnel. Proud to have contributed to the Blackbird Program.

In the history of the SR-71, there were no AF fatalities. One civilian died when he bailed and failed to follow the ejection seat protocol - his neck broke. Happened on a ranch in the Southwest. The SR's life support systems were the best for that period.

When the Blackbird retired in the 1990s the cost to operate was $200M plus per year to the AF. Mission tasking was a different govt agency who reaped the benefits and not the burden of cost. Plus the original vendors were shifting technology and the AF had a problem because of "the vanishing vendor" and other issues. To mention Obama is ludicrous by the way. The aircraft remains the first "stealth" aircraft, the fastest and highest flying, but no longer practical.

I've been attempting to post my SR-71 autographed picture of the 1974 NY to London speed record, but for some reason the JPG won't load. Sever years with the SR-71 program, a dream assignment working with the test pilots and deploying with the aircraft and crew. I'll post the picture whenever I can get it to load. . . .

The SR-71 was the AF two-seat version of the A-11. It was originally thought to be used as a strategic bomber and named the RS-71. President Johnson while announcing the aircraft misspoke and said "SR", thus the nomenclature change. fORERUNNERS TO THE sr-71 WERE THE a-11 AND D-22 Drone , all operated by the CIA. At cruising altitude you couldn't see much from the cockpit, that's for sure.

You got that right!

If this incident truly happened as described, it could be the U.S. ship was collecting electronic data on the Russian’s capabilities, signal strength, radar accuracy, etc. Commonly referred to as countermeasures. Measures, countermeasures, counter-countermeasures – happened all the time.

And they labelled the attack as "mistaken identity"

I love visiting the AFA chapel. I was stationed at Lowry AFB, Denver when the academy was started and the facility construction began in the Springs circa 1955

Nice tribute and tomorrow we all can honor our other veterans.