The National Museum of the US Air Force has decided to save a Massachusetts Air National Guard F-15A from the boneyard because of its role as a first responder following the 9/11 attacks. The 102nd Fighter Wing at Otis ANGB, Mass., must give up its aging A model F-15s under BRAC 2005, but according to the Cape Cod Times some airplane “junkies” started an online petition to preserve tail No. 77-102. The group has been told, says the Times, that the museum will preserve the fighter but is not certain where it will be displayed.
The Air Force is planning to spend $2.19 billion over the next five years to acquire new C-37 jets for transporting military and civilian leaders. That’s on top of another $1.17 billion in projected funding for the VC-25B “Air Force One” replacement.