21TFTS F-4E seen departing off 03L

George AFB 21TFTS F-4E departing off 03L at Nellis

Entered service with USAF in April 1945. Converted to a TB-29 in March 1952. Transferred to Davis-Monthan AFB (4715th Revron) in June 1959. Loaned to Pima in 1975, where the marking of 'Sentimental Journey' were later applied. Some of the wartime stories include crew complaining about the lack of windows in the back. A flack hit fixed that problem for him. Battle damage repairs (on the flap) can also still be seen. The aircraft was part of a squadron where the aircraft were named after the 7 dwarves. This one was named 'Dopey'. another surviving B-29 is the famous 'Doc'. The aircraft was used in the filming of the movie Enola Gay. During the filming, it was discovered that the wartime markings were still etched in the aircraft skin.

Constructed in October 1964, first flight in March 1965. Entered servive with the USAF in 1965 as 61-7951. Loaned to NASA around May 1991 as an YF-12C with false serial 60-6937. Back to the USAF in October 1978 and redsignated SR-71A. Loaned to Pima somewhere between 1978 and 1991.

The massive Peacemaker has been beautifully restored and is so impressive. Ten engines turning and burning must have made a loud song when it was flying. Only four of them in existence.

Assigned at this time to 436th MAW. Withdrawn and stored in 2015.

Entered service with the USAF in February 1949 and was involved in the Berlin airlift. Converted from C-121A to VC-121A in 1950. Based at Paris-Orly between June 1951 and March 1952, used as personal aircraft by General Eisenhower (SHAPE commander). Transferred to 1254 ATW around 1960, back to Europe as VIP transport in 1962 and used by General Greunther of NATO. Transferred to 7101st Air Base Wing at Wiesbaden. Retired in January 1967 and Transferred to the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposal Center (MASDC) with inventory number CK036 in June 1967. Loaned to Pima in 1972, restored between March 1989 and August 1990. The aircraft is called 'Columbine', after the state flower of Colorado.

A few days after this picture was taken, this F-15A, while operating from Gilze-Rijen AB, Netherlands, under deployment "Coronet Mescalero" was damaged by engine fire when on final for landing on 13 June 1986. The pilot managed to land the aircraft safely, but extensive repairs were necessary. The aircraft was brought to Soesterberg AB by road and from there flown back to the US in a C-5 on 25 September 1986.