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Landing from the left and right: WPAFB welcomes East & West Coast aircrews

  • Published
  • By Daniel Peterson
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Wright-Patterson Air Force Base recently welcomed mission partners stationed on both sides of the United States.  
 
First, an aircrew from the 349th Air Mobility Wing at Travis AFB, California, took part in a mission April 14-15 to deliver one of the last remaining KC-10A Extenders to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.  

Aerial view of the snowy Sierra Nevada mountain range from the boom pod window.

The Sierra Nevada mountain range seen from the boom pod of a KC-10A Extender, April 14, 2024. Tail 84-0191 completed its final flight across the United States where it was donated to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Peterson)
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When the museum decided to acquire a KC-10A refueler from Travis AFB, officials specifically requested tail No. 84-0191 for its involvement in Operation El Dorado Canyon, which took place April 15, 1986. During that mission 38 years ago, the U.S. military carried out airstrikes against Libya in retaliation for the West Berlin discotheque bombing 10 days earlier. Tail No. 84-0191 refueled the lead F-111F Aardvark bomber involved and is currently on display inside the museum. 
 
Lt. Col. Brian Johnson, 70th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, was instrumental in the coordination with the Air Force Museum, base operations and maintenance to make this flight possible. He spoke about the importance of the KC-10A’s inclusion in the world’s largest military aviation museum. 

“This aircraft has meant a lot for everybody that’s ever been a part of it,” Johnson said. “To be able to have this here and know it’s going to be here for them, their families and recognize their service, it really is an honor.” 

The KC-10A’s mission was to carry out aerial refueling and airlift operations as both a fuel tanker and cargo aircraft. The museum plans to add the aircraft to its historic Air Park just outside the main complex. 

Over the shoulder of Master Sgt. Fortier looking at the snowy Sierra Nevada mountain range through the boom pod window

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Daniel Fortier, 70th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, opens the boom pod window over the Sierra Nevada mountain range, April 14, 2024. Fortier was among the crew on Tail 84-0191’s final flight to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Peterson)
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On April 15, the 628th Air Base Wing out of Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, landed six of its C-17 Globemasters at Wright-Patterson AFB. 
 
WPAFB hosted JB Charleston’s fleet to make room back home for its Heroes of Flight Airshow the weekend of April 20-21, while maintaining the unit’s mobility-readiness posture. 

Front view of a C-17 on the flightline with blue skies and clouds

A C-17 Globemaster from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, sits on the flightline at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, April 19, 2024. The C-17’s mission is to provide tactical and strategic delivery of troops and cargo, with additional roles including medical evacuation and airdrop capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
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“We appreciate the great relationships we have across the Air Force,” said Jeremy Huggins, 628 ABW public affairs mission partner support chief. “We are thankful they have been able to help us out so we can make this airshow an awesome experience for the Charleston community.”  
 
The C-17’s mission is to provide tactical and strategic delivery of troops and cargo, with additional roles including medical evacuation and airdrop capabilities. 

Side view of four C-17 tails parked side-by-side down the flightline

Four C-17 Globemasters from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, are parked in a row on the flightline at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, April 19, 2024. The C-17’s mission is to provide tactical and strategic delivery of troops and cargo, with additional roles including medical evacuation and airdrop capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
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Look for more photos of these events from our partners at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Travis AFB, and JB Charleston.