Apparently, SR-71s from Mildenhall cruised up
the Baltic and back at frequent intervals. A couple of Swedish pilots
(probably in Draken's rather than Viggens) decided to have a bit of fun.
So the next time an SR-71 went by, they scrambled with drop-tanks fitted.
One went north to act as the spotter, the other stooged around further
south. When the SR-71 came within radar range of the northern fighter, he
radioed the southern one. That one dropped the external tanks (breaking
peace-time regulations in the process!), turned on full afterburner and
stood the 'plane on its tail. As he reached maximum altitude, he turned on
his radar in targeting mode. He just managed to achieve lock-on before the
SR-71 ECM lit up and totally scrambled his radar picture. The two pilots
then turned for home, where the southern one just managed to land before
running out of fuel. They were apparently subsequently sent a trophy from
the SR-71 detachment, as an award for being the only people ever to have
intercepted an SR-71.

Or so the story goes.

Rob