Editing Lockheed A-12 (section)

===Retirement===
[[File:A12instorage.jpg|thumb|A-12s in storage at Palmdale, note the spurious USAF markings and serial numbers]]

Even before the A-12 became operational, its intended purpose of replacing the U-2 in overflights of the Soviet Union had become less likely. Soviet radar systems increased their [[blip-to-scan ratio]]s, which rendered the A-12 vulnerable.<ref>[http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB434/docs/U2%20-%20Chapter%206.pdf "The Oxcart Story"]. CIA, p. 267</ref> In any event, [[John F. Kennedy|President Kennedy]] had stated publicly that the United States would not resume such missions. By 1965, moreover, the [[Reconnaissance satellite|photoreconnaissance satellite]] programs had progressed to the point that crewed flights over the Soviet Union were unnecessary to collect strategic intelligence.<ref name="Robarge 2012 31–38"/>

The A-12 program was ended on 28 December 1966<ref>{{harvnb|McIninch|1996|p=31}}</ref> – even before Black Shield began in 1967 – due to budget concerns<ref name="Robarge 2012 41–44">{{harvnb|Robarge|2012|pp=41–44}}</ref> and because of the SR-71, which began to arrive at Kadena in March 1968.<ref>{{cite web|title=OXCART/SR-71 Information for EXCOM Meeting|url=http://www.foia.cia.gov/sites/default/files/document_conversions/89801/DOC_0001472041.pdf|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency Document Number: 0001472041|access-date=4 April 2014|archive-date=17 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130717095030/http://www.foia.cia.gov/sites/default/files/document_conversions/89801/DOC_0001472041.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The twin-seat SR-71 was heavier and flew slightly lower and slower than the A-12.<ref name="Robarge 2012 41–44"/>

Ronald L. Layton flew the 29th and final A-12 mission on 8 May 1968, over North Korea.<ref>{{cite web|title=Critique for Oxcart Mission Number BX6858|url=http://www.foia.cia.gov/sites/default/files/document_conversions/89801/DOC_0001474970.pdf|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency Document Number 0001472531|access-date=5 April 2014|archive-date=17 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130717095849/http://www.foia.cia.gov/sites/default/files/document_conversions/89801/DOC_0001474970.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 4 June 1968, just {{frac|2|1|2}} weeks before the fleet's retirement, an A-12 from Kadena, piloted by Jack Weeks, was lost over the Pacific Ocean near the Philippines while conducting a functional check flight after the replacement of one of its engines.<ref name="Robarge 2012 41–44"/><ref>{{harvnb|McIninch|1996|p=33}}</ref> Frank Murray made the final A-12 flight on 21 June 1968, to [[Palmdale, California]], storage facility.<ref name="Robarge 2012 42">{{harvnb|Robarge|2012|p=42}}</ref>

On 26 June 1968, Vice Admiral Rufus L. Taylor, the deputy director of Central Intelligence, presented the CIA [[Intelligence Star]] for valor to Weeks' widow and pilots Collins, Layton, Murray, Vojvodich, and Dennis B. Sullivan for participation in Black Shield.<ref name="Robarge 2012 41–44"/><ref>{{harvnb|McIninch|1996|p=34}}</ref><ref>Hayden, General Michael V. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080109060125/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/speeches-testimony/2007/a12-presentation-ceremony.html "General Hayden's Remarks at A-12 Presentation Ceremony."] ''Central Intelligence Agency'', Remarks of Director of the Central Intelligence Agency at the A-12 Presentation Ceremony, 19 September 2007. Retrieved: 10 April 2009.</ref>

The deployed A-12s and the eight non-deployed aircraft were placed in storage at Palmdale. All surviving aircraft remained there for nearly 20 years before being sent to museums around the U.S. On 20 January 2007, despite protests by Minnesota's legislature and volunteers who had maintained it in display condition, the A-12 preserved in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was sent to CIA headquarters to be displayed there.<ref>Karp, Jonathan. [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07026/757100-51.stm "Stealthy Maneuver: The CIA Captures An A-12 Blackbird".] ''The Wall Street Journal'', A1, 26 January 2007. Retrieved: 10 April 2009.</ref>