MUSEUM NEWS 

01 JULY 07

With construction complete, the brown areas will be filled with grass in a matter of weeks. The new airpark on Heritage Hill is an addition to the C-124C Globemaster and C-141B StarLifter added to the Hill in 2005. The new park features the following aircraft from the collection of the McChord Air Museum (left to right) B-23 Dragon, (T)C-47D Skytrain, C-82A Packet, T-33A Shooting Star, F-86D Sabre, F-102A Delta Dagger, CF-101F VooDoo, F-106A Delta Dart, F-15A Eagle, and A-10A Thunderbolt II 

For more than 17 years, the property adjacent to The McChord Air Museum has been home to most of the Museums aircraft collection - with a turn of a hovel and pouring of some concrete the McChord Air Museum has moved in to a new era - a new airpark on McChord's Heritage Hill.

As a part of a large expansion project on the Heritage Hill, Base officials provided a large area of this park for the Museums current collection of aircraft and enough room for future expansion (C-45, C-54, C-130). The area around this airpark is a main gathering point for the many teams and visitors to AMC's Air Mobility Expeditionary Rodeo, a worldwide competition held every two years at McChord. By visiting this airpark people from across the world will be able to see some of McChord's more historic aircraft.

In 2005, the Museums C-124 & C-141 were carefully towed off of the McChord ramps and placed on the northern end of the park overlooking the Bases runway, our site will be a short distance away. This is the first time a visitor will be able to view most of the museums collection in one area, one aircraft, the B-18, will be continued stored out of the elements in the Museums restoration hangar. 

 Although the aircraft have been moved from our main building, the McChord Heritage Center (Air Museum) will, for the time being, reside at our current location on McChord on the South end of the Base between the Base Exchange and Burger King.  We hope to see you soon!

For photos and information on the Museum aircraft painting Projects please check for updates on the Painting Project Photo Page.

Early preparations are being accomplished at to the grounds. For many years McChord's Officers Open Mess Club once stood at this site. (facing Southwest)

Grounds have been leveled, cement blocks for landing gear stands are in place, aircraft are being moved into place before concrete silhouettes are formed. In this picture the B-23 and C-82 are in place as the CF-101 awaits its turn. (facing Northeast)

Complete ! Aircraft, walkways, lighting all in place, now we just need the grass to grow ! (facing Northeast)

01 JANUARY 07

A frequently asked question from those who have visited the museum lately is about our missing aircraft. We can assure you they are still with us, but when you see them again they will be in a new location on base - Heritage Hill. The new airpark, located southeast of the Museums C-141 & C-124 which their selves were moved to the newly named Heritage Hill in 2005, will be a centerpiece of the bases “Rainier Ranch” area constructed for visitors during the this summers International Air Mobility Rodeo, an competition held at McChord every two years off and on since the mid 90’s. 

Over the last year base maintance crews have assisted museum volunteers in removing the aircraft off of their stands and towing them to the museums restoration hanger. While there the aircraft have gone through some much-needed maintance, in preparation for a complete painting. The project is scheduled for completion by June of 2007. Please visit our site for updates on the project.

31 DECEMBER 06

LTC Brad Derrig prepares to leave  F-16ADF 82-0929 into a McChord AFB Alert Hangar after completing a cross-country flight to Washington State. Col Derrig flying in F-16A -0929, and two other “Happy Hooligan” F-16 ADF’s scrambled from their unit’s alert detachment at Langley AFB, VA to intercept hijacked airliners over New York and Washington DC during Sept 11, 2001.

While many were out returning gifts a day after Christmas, a small crowd gathered by one of  McChord's alert hangers to see the last flight of a aircraft that made its mark on history standing alert during September 11, 2001.  The aircraft, F-16A S/N 82-0929, one of the 3 F-16 scrambled against hijacked airliners on 9-11-01, poked through the rain clouds and touched down for the last time after a cross country flight from it's  base at Fargo, ND. The aircraft’s pilot Lt Col. Brad Derrig, Commander of the 119th Operations Group, North Dakota Air National Guard will always be linked by this journey, but the two will also be remembered as one of the U.S. initial defense against terror.  

What started out as another day standing alert at Langley AFB for the pilots of the 119th FW  better known as the “Happy Hooligans”, quickly became anything but routine. Shortly after terrorist commandeered civil airliners from New York airports, the units F-16's were ordered to “battle stations” and quickly given the “scramble” order by the Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS) to defend the airspace of the United States. F-16ADF 82-0929 piloted by the then Maj. Brad Derrig, and two other F-16’s flown by Capt. Dean Eckmann Capt. Craig Borgstrom would later perform history's first CAP over Washington DC and the Pentagon. 

Since 2002 Foundation Board Member Ernest White lead the effort to bring the "9-11 first responders" to McChord for display. Over the years, White authored numerous letters and place more than a few phone calls to many individuals and organizations in the USAF, Department of Defense and Congress in a effort to gain a waver for S/N -929 because of its important history. Since the early 90’s only F-16 considered to be “non flyers” were the only aircraft available for display.  

During the last months of 2006 what seemed to be a futile effort to acquire -929 became a reality. Working with the F-16 System Program Office or “SPO” White was able to secure the F-16 before it’s scheduled flight to the Davis-Monthan “Boneyard”, where it was to be used for a source of spare parts for other F-16. "It was not until I saw her taxi by until I realized that we really did get her here" White said, "This is a day I though I would never see!”

Although the McChord Air Museum was not on the Air Force’s waiting list for F-16, the Western Air Defense Sector had been on since 1994. The unit had planned on displaying the aircraft with the other historic Fighter-Interceptor aircraft, but later decided to honor the aircraft by displaying it in front of the units headquarters. When asked about the location change White responded “The best ending to this story is that a very historic aircraft was saved for many generations to admire”  

 

Foundation Board Member Ernest White greets Col. Derrig after he leaves F-16 82-0929 for the last time

12 DECEMBER 06

On the first week of December of 2006 the Museums C-82 Packet rolled out of the McChord paint facility looking like a brand new aircraft. After receiving its initial coat of paint shortly before it was placed on display in the early 90's, the aircraft was painted two additional times by hand (roller), unfortunate the paint flaked off after a few years. After a complete preparation, expectations are that this paint job will last for many years to come.  The C-82 is painted similar to Packets from 8th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group stationed at McChord in the late 40's.

01 DECEMBER 06

The McChord Air Museum now has gone international. In the January 07 edition of the British FlyPast Magazine, contributor Ed Davies does a wonderful job summarizing the Museums collection in the written word and in photographs. FlyPast Magazine is available at most book stores or can be ordered online http://shop.keypublishing.com/acatalog/Current_Magazines.html

01 NOVEMBER 06

Aviation Pioneer visits

B-18 Restoration Crew Member Herb Tollefson and Museum Curator Ray Jordan have a conversation with Mary Feik in the Museums Restoration Hangar. 

Members of the McChord air Museum’s B-18 restoration crew were honored to have Aviation Pioneer Mary Feik pay a visit. Ms. Feik a member of the the Women in Aviation Pioneer Hall of Fame has accomplished many outstanding contributions to aviation history becoming the first woman engineer in research and development in the Air Technical Service Command’s Engineering Division at Wright Field, Ohio. An accomplished pilot Ms. Feik logged more than 5,000 hours as a B-29 flight engineer, engineering observer, and pilot in fighter, attack, bomber, cargo, and training aircraft. When the Lockheed P-80 entered service, she was issued a brand-new model nicknamed “Mary’s Little Lamb” in her h o nor.

She also used her expertise to design high-performance and jet fighter pilot transition trainers and aircraft maintenance trainers. The pilot training manuals and technical engineering reports she authored were distributed throughout the armed forces

Ms. Feik retired from the National Air and Space Museum’s (NASM) Paul E. Garber Restoration Facility as a Restoration Specialist. She has participated in the restoration of many antique aircraft one of which the classic WWI Spad XIII fighter.  Many thanks to Mary for her contributions to Aviation History and for her visit to our museum !

16 SEPTEMBER 2005

Once slated to to be flown to McChord and placed on display at the Museum, C-130E 63-7767 will more than likely spend it's last days at the Davis - Monthan "Boneyard" in Arizona. The aircraft is currently assigned to the 314th Airlift Wing at Little Rock AFB, AR

The McChord Air Museum was recently informed that it would not be receiving C-130 s/n 63-7767, or any other C-130 for the next few years. This disappointing news is due to an Air Mobility Study investigating the state of the Air Forces mobility forces. The aircraft, -7767, had been grounded for more than a year due to wing box issues, will more than likely be on its way to the Arizona "Boneyard" with other C-130 to be held in reserve for potential use in the future.  

In 2005, the museum was presented a list of C-130 aircraft close to retirement; a few of those aircraft were C-130's that had once flown at McChord with the 36th Tactical Airlift Squadron "Eagle Airlifters" in the 70's and 80's, which is a preference for the McChord Museum. Fortunately, former McChord based C-130's are still in operational use in the USAF, and will be available when the next C-130 is offered for display.

19 AUGUST 2006

Over one hundred years of volunteer service to the McChord Air Museum program were contributed by (left to right) Glenn Morgan (B-18), Chuck Bowen (C-124), Al Berchman, Herb Tollefson (B-18) and Herb Mellor (Foundation President)

On 19 August 2006, under a clear blue sky, the annual picnic honoring the Museum volunteers took place. With the temperature around 80 degrees, a better day couldn't have been asked for. The food was plentiful and varied enough to suit everyone's desires. Former Museum Administrator Shon Zwada did a superb job at the grill, providing a ample supply of hot dogs and hamburgers. 

Thanks Shon, thanks also to Chuck Bowen, Tom Caparrella, and Mike Forhan for transporting and setting and setting up the tables. 

It's always special to be able to recognize the longevity of service to the Museum in a variety of areas. This year the twenty year plaque was presented to the following volunteers:

Al Berchman, Chuck Bowen Herb Mellor, Glenn Morgan, Herb Tollefson

Unable to attend the picnic the following volunteers received their plaques subsequent to the picnic.

Willie Bledsoe, Cliff Bouchee, Gordon Smith, Don Tracy

09 JULY 06

CF-101F 101022 (AF/SN 57-0322) is pictured in the Museums restoration hangar shortly after her two week stay in the McChord Paint Hangar.

The first week of July will be a special week for those who follow Canadian Aviation history. On July 7 a long time Squadron with a tie to McChord the 409th Fighter Squadron, arose from the pages of the history books and became the Canadian Air Force’s newest CF-18 Squadron. During their conversion to CF-18’s in 1984 the 409th flew one its CF-101’s to McChord for display were it was been ever since. During the same week as former squadron’s reactivation, the museum’s CF-101 had a bit of a “reactivation” with the completion of a restoration project that took almost three months to complete. The Museums CF-101, S/N 101022 rolled into the museums restoration hangar for some finishing touches. The aircraft should be ready for display by the end of summer.

For pictures of the VooDoo during its restoration please check for updates on the on the Painting Project Photo Page.

23 JUNE 06

The new C-17 model was placed next to am model of another famous Globemaster, a former radio controlled C-124C. The almost five foot long model, was given to the Museum by McChord's 8th Airlift Squadron. 

04 JUNE 06

Crews had to use airbags to remove the Museums C-82 Packet from its stands.   

If you have visited the museum over the last few years you may have noticed the C-82's appearance, unfortunately not a good one. With rollers in hand, a little more than five years ago volunteers from the 7th Airlift Squadron graciously spent their free time fleshing up the appearance of the aircraft. Time and the weather and have not been kind to the aircraft, not even the birds who pushed their way into the boom to the C-82 to nest.

During the next few months McChord crews and Museum volunteers will give the C-82 a factory fresh appearance that for this former MATS workhorse is well deserved. Members of the 62d Maintenance Squadron will use airbags to carefully lift the C-82 off of the stands that has taken pressure off of the aircrafts large tires for more than 15 years. Soon there after the Packets wings will be removed, and towed to close by the McChord Corrosion Control Facility (aka Paint Hangar) where sheet metal restoration, and bird proofing will take place before the aircraft is moved into the hangar for painting. The C-82 will be in the hangar for about a month because of a planned construction project that will replace the concrete in the front of the hangar, completion of the F-102A Delta Dagger, scheduled for late September. 

For pictures of the C-82 Packet during its restoration please check for updates on the on the Painting Project Photo Page.

24 MAY 06

The now retired WADS Commander Col John Cromwell address  the crowd during the F-102's Dedication Ceremony on May 24 2006. Col Cromwell retired the following week after Commanding WADS for more than nine years. 

On December 13, 1956 McChord’s first F-102 Delta Dagger assigned to the 325th Fighter Wing’s 317th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron touched down at the base opening the supersonic era for air defense of the Pacific Northwest. Almost fifty years later, former members from the 317th were again instrumental in bringing the “Duce” back home to McChord.

The F-102 was again the center of attention sporting the same factory fresh appearance as other 317th FIS wore fifty years earlier.  On May 24 2006 F-102A S/N 56-1515 was dedicated and “handed off” to the 62d AW and the McChord Air Museum by the aircrafts owner, McChord's Western Air Defense Sector, forerunner to the 25th Air Division, a unit that protected the skies over the Northwest until 1990.

Col. John Cromwell, retiring Commander of the Western Air Defense Sector and a large proponent for the rich air defense history of McChord, addressed the crowd thanking museum volunteers for their hard work. “I want to recognize the volunteers who unselfishly spent untold hours putting this Duce back together so our children, grandchildren, and many generations to come will recognize the heritage of air defense at McChord” said the Colonel before “handing off” the aircraft to Col. Jerry Martinez, 62d Airlift Wing Commander.

Current plans are to place the F-102 on display along with the Museums aircraft  by the summer of 2006.

Col. Jerry Martinez, 62d AW Commander, and Col. Shane Hersman 62d AW Vice Commander "assist" Col. John Cromwell in the cockpit of F-102A -515 after the interceptors dedication at the Museums Restoration Hangar.

01 APRIL 06

CF-101F 101022 (AF/SN 57-0322) is pictured in front of the Museums restoration hangar shortly after being removed from display.  

Since arriving to McChord in 1984, CF-101F 101022 has been an important symbol of the cooperation between the United States and Canada for the Air Defense of North America. Years of sun, rain, and wind has taken their toll on the finish of the proud Interceptor. During the last weeks of March the McChord Museum took the first steps in a restoration process that will return the Voodoo to its previous glory.

Members of the 62d Maintenance Squadron removed the Voodoo from its landing gear stands using aircraft airbags to lift the VooDoo, and gently set the aircraft on the ground. A week later the sight of the CF-101 "stopped traffic" as she was towed down the streets of McChord and placed in front of the Museums restoration Hangar awaiting the completion of the F-102A Delta Dagger, scheduled for late April early May. 

For pictures of the VooDoo during its restoration please check for updates on the on the Painting Project Photo Page.

15 MARCH 06

The first F-102 restoration subject, S/N 57-0858  is pictured prior to being loaded on a McChord C-17 for its delivery  Burlington ANGB, VT in mid March. In 1999, 858 was recovered from Tyndall AFB by the 317 FIS Assoc for the Western Air Defense Sector for restoration and eventual display at the Museum. The interceptor was found to have many areas of corrosion from years on display in Florida. Usable components were recovered for its restoration replacement, F-102A 56-1515 which is weeks away from completion.  The remainder of 858 is the hands of the Vermont ANG.  

01 JANUARY 06

"New" Museum Administrator MSgt Ray Jordan poses with his family after a Retirement party given by Foundation Members.  The Master Sergeant officially retired from the Air Force shortly after being named as Administrator / Curator of the McChord Heritage Center (Air Museum).

We at the McChord Air Museum Foundation want to welcome our new Administrator / Curator Mr. Ray Jordan. As those familiar with the McChord Museum know, the recently retired Master Sergeant is very familiar sight around McChord, MSgt Ray Jordan has been the Administrator/Curator for the McChord Air Museum/ Heritage Center many years now, on loan from the 62d Airlift Wing’s 62d Maintenance Squadron (62 MXS).

A little more than a year ago a decision was made by the command of the 62d AW to convert some of the bases non-mission critical jobs staffed by active Military personnel into civilian slots, the Museums Administrator position was one of the jobs selected. After a lengthy nationwide search which produced many qualified candidates, McChord officials confirmed what we at the Museum Foundation have known for years; Ray was the man for the job ! 

As of 28 November, the Administrator/Curator position became a civilianized with a familiar face behind the desk, Mr. Ray Jordan - Congratulations from all of us at the Foundation !  

Foundation members enjoy dinner held to celebration for MSgt Jordan appointment as Administrator and is recent retirement. The gathering was held at McChord's Combine Club's Fireside room.

Current McChord Air Museum Administrator MSgt. Ray Jordan poses with former  Administrator TSgt. Shon Zawada from the 62d MXS, the Jordan & Zawada both retired from the Air Force in December 2005.

03 NOVEMBER 2005

Fresh in the markings of the 317th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron F-102A 56-1515 sits in the Museums restoration hangar awaiting completion.

During the last few weeks of September members from 62d Maintenance Squadron sanded, primed and painted one of the museums newest displays, the F-102 Delta Dagger S/N 56-1515. The aircraft, formerly wearing a worn a Southeast Asia camouflage painted on a number of F-102's slated to serve in the Vietnam war, was painstakingly repainted Air Defense Command Gray with 317th FIS's distinctive red band with a white lightning bolt.

For the last three years former members of the 317th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron have been restoring the Interceptor since its arrival from Davis-Monthan AFB replacing another F-102. After months of restoration the other F-102, S/N 57-0858 recovered from Tyndall AFB in 1999, was found to have many areas of corrosion from years on display in Florida. Usable components were recovered for # 515’s restoration; the remainder of 858’s airframe was recovered recently by the Vermont ANG to be used to repair another F-102 (S/N 54-3366) on display at Burlington ANGB, VT. 

After it’s painting, 515 was moved back to the Museums restoration hangar for the final stages of restoration. Plans are for the F-102 to be moved to the Museum yard by the summer of 2006. 

The McChord Air Museum Foundation wants to acknowledge the professionalism of the following individuals in transforming the aircraft into its current appearance.

Former restoration subject 57-0858 is pictured sitting at the former F-106 engine trim pad during the summer of 2005.

09 OCTOBER 2005

In late September Museum Members were given an early Christmas gift from locally based Horizon Airlines, this star-spangled Clark Aircraft Towing Tug. After some repairs to the engine and transmission the Tug will be painted to represent typical Air Force Tugs of the 50's and 60's. The tug will be an active part of the Museum collection and will be used to tow museum Aircraft around McChord.

06 SEPTEMBER 2005

In it's last days with the 36th TAS at McChord AFB, C-130E 63-7767 was one a number of desert camouflage Hercules' in Air Force inventory in the early 80's.

In early September, the McChord Museum received some long awaited news about.  After months of waiting the McChord Air Museum received some good news - - and some bad news. In early September, Museum officials were informed that it’s request for an C-130E had been accepted, even better, it was to be a aircraft that served with McChord’s 36th Tactical Airlift Squadron (S/N 63-7767) from March 1977 to October 1981. While at McChord # 767 was painted in Desert Camouflage during the Iran Hostage Crisis and during the early 1980's left McChord for Little Rock AFB during the consolidation of all USAF Desert Camouflaged C-130's. Crews nicknamed the aircraft “The Ayatollah Express”. 

The aircraft still based at Little Rock AFB, has been grounded at the base since 2 February 2005. On 10 February 2005 Air Mobility Command  officials announced that the Air Force would be grounding 30 “E” model C-130’s while placing another 60 various models of the C-130 on flight restrictions because of center wing box issues. In late 2005 a moratorium has been placed on all flyable airlift assets, including # 767, prohibiting their movement out of the USAF inventory including potential movements to museums. Please return to this page for updates on 767’s return to McChord.