Out of the Black, Into the Blue


Message posted by Peter Merlin on October 04, 2004 at 15:09:40 PST:

The Flight Test Historical Foundation's "Gathering of Eagles" banquet honored six participants in three once classified programs that took place at Groom Lake: HAVE BLUE, TACIT BLUE, and Bird of Prey. It also provided a limited glimpse into as yet unrevealed black programs.

The guest list included a large number of former Groom Lake personnel (military and civilian). There were pilots, engineers, technicians, program managers, and two former base commanders (one of whom is currently involved with range support for the area).

Honorees included Keith Beswick (M/D-21 LCO, HAVE BLUE FTE, and Lockheed director of flight test for U-2, SR-71, F-117A, F-22, and "several other classified programs."), Rudy Haug (primary pilot for Bird of Prey), Ken Dyson (Red Hats and HAVE BLUE pilot), Dick Thomas (primary pilot for TACIT BLUE), Doug Benjamin (USAF pilot for Bird of Prey and "flew on and commanded a variety of classified programs"), and Dan Vanderhorst ("lead pilot on seven classified aircraft to date," presumably including TACIT BLUE).

In his career, Vanderhorst has conducted many of his flights in "one-of-a-kind technology demonstrator aircraft." He has flown such milestone missions as first flight with modified landing gear, first flight with internal bays installed, first in-flight opening of weapon bay doors, and initial weapon separation tests. His biography notes cryptically that "he holds the altitude record in this aircraft."

"Since Vanderhorst has made his career in the cockpit of so many classified aircraft, there is not much we can say about him, on the record. In letters of recommendation, it is noted by his superior officers that his work has been outstanding and will probably never be recognized by the public."

He was unable to attend the "Gathering of Eagles" because he is currently working on a classified program.


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