KC-135 moves into Airpark

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --Team Scott members from the 375th Airlift Wing and the 126th Air Refueling Wing move a KC-135 into place at the Scott Field Heritage Airpark. The KC-135 is one of two aircraft that are being relocated to the Airpark this week. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michelle Larche)

KC-135 moves into Airpark

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --Team Scott personnel move a KC-135 into the grass on the Scott Field Heritage Airpark with the aid of mobi-mats March 25. Team Scott members from the 375th Airlift Wing and the 126th Air Refueling Wing moved the KC-135 into place at the Scott Field Heritage Airpark. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michelle Larche)

KC-135 moves into Airpark

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --Chief Master Sgt. Russ Kobaly from the 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pittsburg, Pa., gives the crew a final safety brief before they move the aircraft from the runway to the soggy grass. The team used Mobi-Mats, used to create temporary pathways, to ensure the aircraft traveled safely to its destination. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Paul Villanueva II)

Planes set to move to Heritage Airpark updated

Published March 25, 2009
By Steve Berry
375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Two aircraft were added to the Scott Field Heritage Airpark this week.

The third and fourth aircraft for the Scott Field Heritage Airpark found their new home March 25 and 26 respectively, as a team of workers moved a KC-135 Stratotanker and a C-140 Jetstar into their new positions near the Shiloh Gate.

Despite the rain from earlier in the week, members from both the 375th Airlift Wing and the Illinois Air National Guard's 126th Air Refueling Wing used Mobi-Mats, which are used to construct temporary pathways, to keep the aircraft from getting stuck in the soft ground.

Retired Col. Larry Strube, Heritage Air Park Committee Chairman and former 375th Airlift Wing Vice Commander, said the planes would be towed to the end of the runway and then moved across a field to the park site on secure ground mats.

"They put down Mobi-Mats and a team from the Air National Guard is going to come out and help with that as part of a training exercise for them," Mr. Strube said.

The moving plan included taking the planes down an unused road and across Golf Course Road, which was scheduled to be closed between Cardinal Creek Golf Course and the Teen Center yesterday and today.

"The aircraft have been on base for a number of years and we just got to a point now where the construction of the airpark has caught up with the airplanes. The next logical step is to stick them into the airpark," Mr. Strube said.

The KC-135 Statotanker and C-140 Jetstar join a C-9 Nightingale and C-141 Starlifter that were placed in the park in September 2008. A C-130 Hercules will also be added to the park, which is expected to be completed this year.

"I think it is progressing well," Mr. Strube said. "Our original plan was to put five airplanes in the airpark and this next step will bring us that much closer to completing the job."

The facility's parking lot is currently under construction. Sidewalks that will allow visitors to stroll through the park from plane to plane will be poured soon.

Mr. Strube said the park is being funded by the Scott Field Heritage Airpark Committee, which is accepting Initial Founding Member donations through the end of the Scott Airshow Sept. 20. The committee is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

Updated text in bold