When I lived in South Milwaukee WI. A blackbird had to make an unscheduled landing at Mitchell field to have an engine replaced. Once repaired, they announced on the radio that the plane was departing shortly. I closed my shop and headed to the airport. To take off, the "bird had two f-16 escorts and a Z-28 escort. The F-16s took off first, and disappeared. Then the "bird, escorted by the Z-28, proceeded to take off. Just as the SR71 took flight, the F-16s reappeared and all three disappeared over the horizon. Just when I thought it was over, all three planes buzzed the airport one more time!
By the way, I think part of the reason they killed the program, is that the SR71 used special "Blackbird only" fuel and had to have specially equipped air bases around the world to refuel and repair.