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WADS dedicates historic aircraft

Western Air Defense Sector Public Affairs / Published August 17, 2009

The F-16 fighter's place in air defense history is assured with this permanent display of aircraft #82-929, which was scrambled over the eastern coast on Sept. 11, 2001. The pilot on that eventful day, Lt. Col. Brad Derrig, attended the dedication ceremony at the Western Air Defense Sector on May 21 and talked about the shock and drama of combat air patrols on that date. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Rubattino)
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The F-16 fighter's place in air defense history is assured with this permanent display of aircraft #82-929, which was scrambled over the eastern coast on Sept. 11, 2001. The pilot on that eventful day, Lt. Col. Brad Derrig, attended the dedication ceremony at the Western Air Defense Sector on May 21 and talked about the shock and drama of combat air patrols on that date. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Rubattino)

Joining Sector Commander Col. Paul Gruver, second from left, in unveiling the F-16 plaque were several key players in getting the aircraft ready for display. They are from left Mr. Greg Heidloff of WADS; Senior Master Sgt. John Kennedy from the 194th Operations Group; Master Sgt. Scott McCool of WADS; Master Sgt. James Roark (partially hidden) from Arizona's 162nd Fighter Wing, and Mr. Ken Roberts, representing McChord Air Museum. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Rubattino)
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Joining Sector Commander Col. Paul Gruver, second from left, in unveiling the F-16 plaque were several key players in getting the aircraft ready for display. They are from left Mr. Greg Heidloff of WADS; Senior Master Sgt. John Kennedy from the 194th Operations Group; Master Sgt. Scott McCool of WADS; Master Sgt. James Roark (partially hidden) from Arizona's 162nd Fighter Wing, and Mr. Ken Roberts, representing McChord Air Museum. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Rubattino)

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MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- 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.