WADS dedicates historic aircraft

  • Published
  • Western Air Defense Sector Public Affairs
The Western Air Defense Sector hosted a formal dedication ceremony here May 21 for a historic F-16 static display.

The aircraft, F-16A S/N 82-0929, was one of the three F-16s scrambled against hijacked airliners on Sept. 11, 2001. The aircraft and its pilot on that day - Lt. Col. Brad Derrig, commander of the 119th Operations Group, North Dakota Air National Guard - will always be remembered as part of the United States' first line of defense against terrorism.

Colonel Derrig, who participated in the dedication ceremony, piloted the historic jet on its final flight here Dec. 26, 2006. After its arrival at McChord, the aircraft was prepared for permanent display by volunteers from several agencies and organizations -- the McChord Air Museum, the 162nd Fighter Wing from Tucson, Ariz., the 194th Operations Group, the 62nd Airlift Wing and WADS. On Feb. 11, the aircraft was set on permanent display in front of WADS.