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.
Air Force depots are not typically meant for quick repair jobs, but during Operation Epic Fury, the service moved some of its stateside heavy maintenance capability forward to fix battle-damaged aircraft closer to the fight.
