Members of the New York Air National Guard’s 174th Fighter Wing at Hancock Field in Syracuse have dedicated an F-86B Sabre fighter into the base’s newly established air park. It is the first of many aircraft that the wing intends to display in the park. The names of retired Brig. Gen. Curtis Irwin, former 174th FW commander, and retired SMSgt. Charles Poehlman, a former crew chief at Hancock Field, are painted, respectively, on the left and right sides of the refurbished fighter. Poehlman attended the dedication ceremony last month as did Irwin’s daughters Sheila Austin and SMSgt Lisa Damon. Maj Gen James Kwiatkowski, New York Air Guard commander, also attended. The F-86 is painted like aircraft that flew at Hancock Field from 1957 to 1970, according to wing officials.(Hancock report by 1st Lt. Greta Lewis)
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
