A unique experience is set to take over the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park Oct. 13-15.

The SR-71 Blackbird, the world's fastest jet-propelled aircraft, operated globally in hostile airspace. But the A-12 Blackbird came first. Both were used as spy planes that gathered important reconnaissance data without penetrating enemy airspace.

Military history fans and aircraft buffs will enjoy the Blackbird Expo Oct. 13-15 in the Medal of Honor Aircraft Pavilion at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. The rare event will include some of the last pilots and mechanics of these spy planes.

The Blackbird Team is a group that flew, worked on and built Blackbirds. These experts are former aviators, maintainers, designers and engineers from Lockheed, Pratt & Whitney and other suppliers. Some of them will travel across the country to attend this special event where they will educate the public more about these spy planes.

The veterans will tell stories, hold demonstrations, give 360-degree tours of the cockpit (open for this event only) and more.

The A-12 Blackbird on display at Battleship Memorial Park is commonly mistaken for an SR-71. Just 15 A-12s were designed in the 1950s in secrecy to replace the U-2 for the CIA. Two years later, the Air Force designed the SR-71, which reached the public eye in the 1960s. Information on the A-12 was not released until the 1980s. Only a few A-12s remain and they are placed at museums across the country.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to speak with the people who designed, maintained and flew these incredible planes. The Blackbird Expo is included with general admission. All proceeds will go toward the restoration of the park's A-12. For more information, visit www.ussalabama.com.