Century Circle display opens to public Published Aug. 28, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Julius Delos Reyes 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Visitors or base personnel entering Edwards' West Gate on Rosamond Boulevard will see a new landmark welcoming them -- the base's Century Circle display. More than 50 people from Edwards and local communities attended the ceremony that marked the opening of the Century Circle display Monday. "Welcome to our time capsule," said Col. Bryan Gallagher, 95th Air Base Wing commander. Developed by the Air Force Flight Test Center Museum, the project features a restored 18-foot high and 28-foot wide AFFTC control tower. The display also features six Century Series aircraft, the F-100, F-101, F-102, F-104, F-105 and F-106. "This is an interesting slice of Edwards' history, but by no means a history that has been completed," Colonel Gallagher said. "What we see here is what I call 'Phase 1.' There is a lot more we plan on doing here. There is a lot more history we plan on capturing here." The tower was first used during the testing heyday of the 1950s and was used until 1988, said Doug Nelson, AFFTC museum director. "This obviously wouldn't be made possible without Doug's vision and his constant work on the display," said Maj. Gen. Curtis Bedke, AFFTC commander. Funding for the display construction was made possible through the Flight Test Historical Foundation, Mr. Nelson said. "In 60 years, more major milestones and aviation history have occurred at Edwards than anywhere else in the world," said Dana Kilanowski, one of the historical foundation's directors. "The legacy, stories of the sacrifices and the tremendous accomplishments of the men and women of Edwards is a national treasure." Ms. Kilanowski said the historical foundation is dedicated to preserving this magnificent history by raising funds to support the AFFTC museum. The foundation was able to raise more than $200,000 for the Century Circle display. Meanwhile, the 95th Civil Engineering and Transportation Directorate provided the "grunt work" for the display. The 412th Test Wing's surfaces team provided the paint, fabrication and sheet metal elements needed to redesign the aircraft's surfaces. "This was a team effort, but more importantly, it was a labor of love," General Bedke said. "People will enjoy this exhibit for many decades to come." Colonel Gallagher said the display represents living history. "It is not about the planes, the ground and the things," he said. "It's about the brave young men and women who manned these aircraft and did marvelous things in the name of test and evaluation." The AFFTC Museum also placed a walkway around the display area with inscribed bricks purchased by supporters. The bricks cost $60 each. For more information, call the AFFTC museum at 277-8050.