F-15 transferred to aviation museum

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  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Continuing the Elmendorf tradition of a great relationship with the local community, the 3rd Wing recently provided a piece of its distinguished history to benefit a local organization. 

One of two F-15A Eagle ground instructional training aircraft (GITA) was transferred and towed to the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum in Anchorage June 13. 

In early 2008, after determining that the aircraft were no longer needed, the wing began looking for possible uses for the aged aircraft. By chance, the museum was mentioned as a possible recipient. 

"It's serendipidous, and of course we were interested," said Norm Lagasse, executive director of the museum. "It will complete our military expeditions exhibit." 

The museum staff and board of directors determined the aircraft accession was within the museum's mission. Then, approval of transfer of the first aircraft, tail number 74-0084, was immediately followed by coordination for transfer of the second, 74-0082, which is in progress. 

Mr. Lagasse, who has 10 years of experience with F-15s in the air as a former Air Force pilot, then led the coordination of movement of the aircraft on the ground--the loading and transportation via city streets of Anchorage to its new location. 

The museum staff visited the base in late May to measure the critical dimensions and determine the logistical support needed to transport the first aircraft. Prior to shipment, members of the 3rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron assisted local transportation companies to prepare the aircraft sections for delivery to the aviation museum. 

"The tow and transport process went extremely well," said Mr. Lagasse. "The base security forces team provided escort through the intersections on base. Downtown, the Anchorage Police department provided escort from Benson Avenue to the Aviation Museum." 

A work party is scheduled for Saturday to reassemble the pieces of the aircraft to display it this summer. 

"The base Eagle Keepers along with some locally retired Eagle Keepers will provide reassembly assistance for getting 74-0084 ready for exhibit," said Mr. Lagasse. "The basic approach is to use what parts were transferred and eventually find some after-burner sections to close up the engine bays." 

According to Mr. Lagasse, the major reassembly should be complete within a few weeks, but full restoration will be an ongoing project. 

"We'll continue to fine tune the restoration over time. She'll be our gate guard," he said, explaining that "gate guard" is the term used for "the aircraft you have up front to get people's attention." 

With the addition of the 74-0084 aircraft, the museum collection will include 14 military or former military aircraft among the museum's 47 airframes. 

The military expeditions exhibit will feature aircraft and artifacts associated with historic aviation in Alaska, including the 1920 Black Wolf Squadron New York to Nome Alaskan Flying Expedition, 1924 Douglas World Cruisers and 1930s-era Hap Arnold P-36s. 

For more information on the restoration project, call 248-3207 or visit the museum's web site at www.alaskaairmuseum.org/index.html.