MEDIA CONTEST: Jet comes back to Minot as static display

  • Published
  • By 2006 Media Contest
  • Feature Entry 1
ACC MEDIA CONTEST --  Eighteen years ago, the 5th Fighter Interceptor Squadron with its F-15A Eagles, called Minot Air Force Base its home.

The F-15's lifespan at Minot was short, but never forgotten. Now, the Eagle has come back to the nest. Not as a fighter, but as a static.

In November of 2005, a fully functional F-15 from the 125th Fighter Wing in the Jacksonville, Fla., Air National Guard landed here. According to the last pilot to have flown the aircraft, Lt. Col. Bob Wetzel, from the 125th FW, it was one of their better flying F-15's. However, the plane was soon due for its next programmed depot maintenance, which would cost millions of dollars in parts and man-hours to refurbish the plane, so they decided to bring the aircraft to Minot and make it a static display.

"It doesn't cost much to turn an aircraft into a static display," said Capt. Michael Thompson. Captain Thompson is the historical property account designated representative and project manager for this static display. "But, it does consist of a lot of man-hours."

The Airmen working these man hours come from a myriad of squadrons on base. Sixty to 80 Airmen, so far, have volunteered their time to help make this F-15 a static display.
When the F-15 arrived at Minot in November, it was inspected to see what kind of maintenance it would need.

"We towed it to the front of a hangar and did basic servicing to make sure it was safe" said Captain Thompson. "Then, it was moved into a pod to protect it from the elements and keep it from corroding."

There are roughly 200 parts that need to be removed from the aircraft. Examples of this would be the engines and ejection seats. Because the aircraft is still active in the Air Force, the parts are shipped back to be used on other F-15's.

Mobile parts also need to be strapped down, welded or secured in some way. Also, any openings must be covered to prevent debris from getting into them.

Like the other static displays on base, the F-15 will be repainted to it original colors and markings that it had when it was stationed here. The tail markings will have lightening bolts, unit patches of the Air Defense Command, the predecessor of Air Combat Command , and the logo of the Spitten' Kittens, which was the 5th FIS nickname because they originally flew the British Rolls Royce Spitfire.

When it is static ready, it will have to be mounted on a stand. Aerospace Recovery and the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron are working on the pedestal or "stick" for the aircraft.
"Being at a bomber base, not many airmen have worked on a fighter," said Captain Thompson. "It's great to see all the maintainers out here working on it. The amount of excitement they show while working on a different aircraft is fascinating and inspiring."
"Working on a static display is a new experience for me," said Staff Sgt. Adam Untz, 5th Maintenance Group and static volunteer. "But, the process is fun and rewarding."

Although this particular plane was never stationed at Minot AFB, it has been around. It was originally stationed at Langley AFB, Va. Then, in the early 80's, it flew to Bitburg Germany and was a trainer plane for German pilots. Soon after, it was cycled back to the United States to Eglin AFB, Fla., then moved again to the 131st Fighter Wing with the Missouri Air National Guard before finally being transferred to Jacksonville, where it retired. This particular aircraft was introduced in 1975.

People may have got a chance to see the aircraft at this year's Northern Neighbors Day. It was the only F-15 static display at the airshow. Soon it will find its way to the stick.

Anyone interested in helping out with the project can call Captain Thompson at 723-3006.