LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
For nearly 40 years, the 1st Fighter Wing flew the venerable F-15 Eagle here, cementing its place in aviation history as one of the most successful fighters in history.
While Langley's flightline no longer hosts the fourth-generation jet, the Chico Air Museum in Chico, Calif., opened its doors for one of the last remaining 1st FW F-15s to call home. On July 22, the fighter began its journey from Hampton Roads to northern California -- but not in the skies.
A crew from the 1st Maintenance Group demilitarized and disassembled the Eagle, and loaded it on trucks bound for its permanent display at the museum, more than 3,000 miles west of Langley.
Airmen removed fuel, oil, weapons and select components to ensure the safe transport and display of the aircraft. Afterward, the crew removed the outer wing panels, horizontal tail assembly, radar dome and engine components from the fuselage in order to secure the segmented aircraft on two flatbeds.
"Maintainers from five different [Air Force Specialty Codes] started at the front of the aircraft and went through each panel according to DOD regulations to remove all items listed, which took approximately 30 days to complete," said Senior Master Sgt. Sherry Callahan, 1st MXG lead production superintendent. "Once the aircraft was demilitarized, we requested a radiation survey from Bio-Environmental to ensure the aircraft does not impose any health risk while on display at the museum."
According to Norm Rosene, the museum's founder and special operations coordinator, he found the F-15 while scouring the government's aircraft surplus inventory. He began building a proposal to house the fighter in a display at the museum to pay tribute to military veterans, appropriately titled the "Freedom Eagle Project."
"We were fortunate to be awarded the F-15 in December 2010 based on our application and plans," he said. "Since January, I worked with Langley to coordinate the final acquisition of the aircraft, including the disassembly and logistics of transporting it."
The Eagle's transcontinental journey will cross nine states and is expected to last six to ten days, depending on traffic and local regulations governing oversized load transports. Along the way, banners featuring the name of the project will be affixed to the cargo, and signs saluting military will be displayed on the rear of the vehicles.
Once the aircraft arrives in Chico, the museum will assemble a team of maintenance professionals to reassemble the jet and begin restoration efforts. Mr. Rosene expects the F-15 to be reassembled and on display by the end of September, with restorations taking place over the next two years.
Langley AFB is engrained in the history of American airpower, as it was the first installation dedicated solely to airpower when it was commissioned in 1916 by the Army Air Corps, the predecessor of the Air Force. Mr. Rosene said the F-15 will retain its Langley livery, including its signature "FF" tail flash markings, as a show of respect to Langley's rich history and its Airmen, who he said were "instrumental" in making the project a reality.
"The team at Langley went above and beyond to help us get this F-15, from breaking down the parts to loading it on the trucks and allowing us on to the base," he said. "Keeping the Langley markings is the least we can do to honor their efforts."
"It means a lot to us, as most of the maintainers were members of the last F-15 unit to be stationed here at Langley," Sergeant Callahan said. "It's a sign that the 71st Fighter Squadron Ironmen legacy will always be on display. I'm glad that one of the last F-15s assigned to Langley will have a good home."
Mr. Rosene said the ultimate goal of the "Freedom Eagle Project" is to honor the men and women of the armed forces and showcase aviation technology to young people in hopes of inspiring the next generation of American Airmen.
"It's nearly impossible for kids to get onto an airport and touch airplanes these days. If you don't touch it, you may never imagine you can fly," he added. "The young people that will get the opportunity to see this F-15 may get inspired thinking about the possibility that one day they could be part of the military and fly these great machines."