Langley F-15 to Grace Downtown Hampton

The Virginia Air & Space Center in Hampton, Va., is set to receive one of the F-15s that nearby Langley Air Force Base is shedding. The Daily Press of Newport News, Va., reports that engineering work is currently under way on the aircraft before its transfer to Hampton for permanent display in front of the center, in the city’s downtown. Langley’s F-15s have been a common sight over Hampton since their arrival in 1976, making the aircraft’s display a fitting tribute to shared history. Langley is losing its remaining F-15 unit, the 71st Fighter Squadron, as part of an Air Force-wide drawdown of 250 legacy fighters. Earlier this month, the last two operational F-15s in the squadron departed the base for good to start a new life with an Air National Guard unit in Oregon. The squadron is slated for inactivation on Sept. 30.