Preserving history to honor a fallen Airman, Flying Tigers heritage

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Eileen Meier
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga --  When 53 Americans were taken hostage in 1980 by militant Iranian's at the U.S. Embassy in Teheran, Iran, the government acted quickly to prepare for a rescue mission.

Operation Eagle Claw consisted of highly-skilled personnel to free the Americans. Among that team was U.S. Air Force Maj. Lyn McIntosh of the 8th Special Operations Squadron, whose home station was Moody Air Force Base, Ga.

After the mission was reluctantly aborted, refueling preparations were made to evacuate and return to safe grounds. As an RH-53 helicopter was repositioning, its rotary blade struck the fuselage the C-130 McIntosh was in, setting both aircraft ablaze. Tragically, eight military members including McIntosh lost their lives that night.

On a busy Valdosta, Ga., intersection, an F-86L Sabre sat on display for decades. It was placed there in the 1950s and deemed a well-known landmark for years. Shortly after McIntosh's death, a dedication ceremony was held, and the historic aircraft was made into a memorial for the Moody Airman who died April 25, 1980.

Thirty-two years later, several city and base agencies assisted in relocating the small, deteriorating plane back to Moody, where it was refurbished and placed on display in the President George W. Bush Air Park at Moody Field.

"Transporting the plane from downtown to base, the restoration, and getting it to the air park were the most difficult challenges," said Tech. Sgt. Chad Everett, 23d Equipment Maintenance Squadron crash recovery assistant section chief. "It is extremely satisfying to finally finish this project ."

Tech. Sgt. Thomas Breining, also from the 23d EMS, was the team chief and led the project throughout its journey. "It is extremely rewarding seeing the entire process from start to finish," said Breining, "We didn't encounter any serious problem. Overall it was a success and team work paid off."

After the restoration the historic F-86 was placed along side other aircraft that have flown at Moody in the past. The relic now sits on display, even more recognizable to those who knew it long ago thanks to the 23d EMS fabrication flight.

A dedication ceremony will be held in the future to commemorate not only a fellow fallen Airman, but the Flying Tigers heritage as well .