Heritage Airpark construction commences Published June 18, 2008 By Senior Airman Mildred Guevara 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The Scott Heritage Airpark officially became more than just an idea when base and community leaders broke ground at the future site Friday. A little rain didn't stop the ceremony that initiated the first of three construction stages, which include grading the site, building a parking area and constructing a visitor center. Col. (ret.) Larry Strube, Heritage Air Park Committee chairman and former 375th Airlift Wing vice commander, has been involved with the project since 2002. "This has been a long journey," said Mr. Strube. "Since about 1993, the Air Force had this idea that it would be great to put an airpark or some airplanes on display here at Scott Air Force Base." Initial display plans include a C-9 Nightingale, C-140 Jetstar, C-141 Starlifter, KC-135 Stratotanker and C-130 Hercules, three of which have been flown by the men and women assigned to Scott, said Mr. Strube. "When all of this is said and done we will have a great display to welcome people from the local community here to Scott AFB," he said. The strategic location of the parking lot to the park will allow access to the civilian public, as it is not a part of the secure portion of the base. "The whole community is welcome to see something we are all proud of," said Mr. Strube. Col. Al Hunt, 375th Airlift Wing commander, has hoped to see this project become a reality before the end of his tenure as commander. "This is a historic day," he said. "It's been a long time in the making and I never thought for a better way to end the better part of a two year tenure here than to see this project get off the ground finally." The Heritage Airpark Committee aims to have static display aircraft in place before the Scott Air Force Base Air Show this September.