Beale Air Force Base is home to the 9th Recon Wing. It is currently home to the U-2, and for many years was home to the SR-71. The Air Force retired the SR-71 in 1990, but congress brought it back in 1995. Only 3 aircraft are operational, as most of the others have been given away for static display.

The SR-71 is the fastest flying airplane in the world. It's a rare moment to see one operational.

Congress has stopped funding the Air Force's SR-71 program. So the this may be the last airshow that the SR participates in.

Pictures from Beale AFB's Airfest 97 (10/20/97):

This is SR-71A 971 after landing. Earlier it made a 2000 MPH pass over the airshow, treating everyone to a double sonic boom! You can see lots of those grungy looking dudes working on the plane. They were all wearing Lockheed-Martin Skunk Works overalls. The Air Force officer on the right, Dan Ort is a SR-71 RSO (backseater). He mentioned that he came from the B2 program. He was going to ride 971 back to Edwards the next day.

This is a C-5A on display that flew in from Travis. This is the largest plane that the USAF operates. At one time, it was the largest plane in the world.

Rear of same C5-A.

The 9th RW Wing Commander's T-38. Painted in the same U-2/SR-71 style!

A Coast Guard HC-130 based at Sacramento.

A Sacremento Police Department Helicopter.

A Sacremento County Sheriff Helicopter.

A Butte County Sheriff Helicopter.