(As a former SR-71 pilot, Keck was referring to the tie-cutting ceremony, one of many traditions perpetuated by Blackbird crews.) ‘Sometimes you get very wet being dunked in water, sometimes your neck tie is cut off, sometimes even a tail of your shirt is cut off’, he said. Lt.-Gen Keck took all this with good humour, as similar traditions existed back home. After landing at Dyagilevo the Russian pilots gave Keck a shot of vodka, then grabbed his arms and legs and swung him, bumping his behind against the aircraft’s nosewheels in an initiation ritual that is often inflicted on newcomers. The sortie involved live bomb drops at a practice range. There the general was given a familiarisation flight in a Tu-22M3 long-range bomber, becoming the first NATO serviceman to fly the Backfire. Among other Russian Air Force bases the delegation visited the Long-Range Aviation’s 43rd TsBP i PLS at Dyagilevo AB on Aug. Keck, Commander of the USAF’s 8th Air Force and former SR-71 Blackbird pilot, paid a six-day visit to Russia to promote military contacts. 20, 2001, accepting an invitation from the Russian Ministry of Defence, a six-man American military delegation led by Lt.-Gen. Keck was commander of the USAF’s 8th Air Force

Shaw (RSO, right) in front of their SR-71 Blackbird.

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