AFMC Command News

Feature: Partnership gives aircraft a facelift

  • Published
  • By Lanorris Askew
  • 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  By the time Staff Sgt. Anthony Dyer was born, aircraft tail number 51-17144 had already served 17 years in the United States Air Force and retired as a veteran of rescue operations in Vietnam.

As the sergeant journeyed through the 'terrible twos,' the aircraft, an HU-16B Albatross and by then a member of the 301st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Training Squadron at Homestead Air Force Base, Fla., was on its way to the Warner Robins Museum of Aviation as its very first static display.

Last week the now 25-year-old sergeant proudly saluted the aircraft he and his fellow 653rd Combat Logistics Support Squadron members helped restore during a rededication ceremony at the Museum, celebrating a two year-long restoration process.

Sergeant Dyer, an aircraft structural maintenance journeyman, said he was proud to be among the eight squadron members who worked on the project.

"It was a real experience," he said. "I leaned a lot, and it helped build my skills so when I do have to go out and work on other planes, I will know what I'm looking for as far as corrosion and making panels and brackets."

Middle Georgia Technical College, the Environmental Management Directorate, and the Museum's restoration staff helped with the plane's restoration.

Dudley Bluhm, museum deputy director, thanked the team.

"Twenty-six years ago this aircraft was brought here from Florida as the Museum's first aircraft, and I'm sure those early pioneers would be very happy to see the way it looks today," he said. "Our folks did a great job. Thousands of hours went into this restoration, but it was a labor of love for many of those who helped ... "

Dr. Ivan Allen, MGTC president, said his school believes strongly in partnering.

"It takes great partners to build a great community and that's what we have here," he said. "You (Robins) give our students the chance to see the power of teamwork and the lasting power of courage. We join with you in this partnership because it is about our community and all of us working together to preserve history and open the doors to the future."

Major Paul Kanning, 653rd CLSS commander, said members of the squadron normally fix C-130s, F-15 Strike Eagles or C-17s, but in this case they got the chance to work on an airplane older than many of the people who worked on it.

Steve Coyle, the 78th Civil Engineer Group's Environmental Management Division chief, said those involved share a common mission.

"It's a partnership," he said. "The Museum allows us to hold many of our events here and we in turn try to pay them back. We have a common interest, a common place in our heart and that's preservation. So the museum is helping to preserve aircraft and history for our future generations and taking the Museum to new heights."

Paul Hibbitts Sr., Museum director, said there are still plans to restore the interior and cockpit as parts become available.

"These are the types of partnerships that have made this Museum great," he said.