Free Republic

PALMDALE - Three groups made their airplane-cleaning debuts as part of the city's Adopt-a-Plane program March 8 at the Joe Davies Heritage Airpark at Air Force Plant 42. The Antelope Valley chapter of the Air Force Association adopted the F-100, the Northrop Grumman Recreation Club of the Antelope Valley adopted the B-2 Spirit model and the AV Touring Society Motorcycle Club adopted the A-7 Corsair. Other groups in attendance that already had adopted planes included the Friends of DCMA Palmdale, the Major McManus Boys Club, the Rosamond High School Air Force Junior ROTC, the Civil Air Patrol Squadron 84, the...

For an elite group of Vietnam War fliers, the risky work was made a bit easier by knowing that a lot of people were looking out for them Nearly 40 years ago, the Air Force headquarters in Saigon formed a top-secret unit called Commando Sabre--radio call sign "Misty"--that flew risky, often terrifying missions over North Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh Trail in two-man F-100 jet fighters, scouring the terrain for targets. The Misty pilots had no laser targeting pods or smart bombs or night vision goggles, yet they developed many of the tactics the Air Force still uses today over Iraq,...

Beginning this weekend, aircraft buffs will be able to stroll up to and touch about half dozen historic aircraft at the city's newest public facility, the Heritage Airpark. The airpark, at 25th Street East and Avenue P, is a memorial to the aircraft designed, built and tested at U.S. Air Force Plant 42 since the facility was established in 1951. The airpark is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays beginning Jan. 17. A formal ceremony marking the opening of the facility will be held in March, noted Mayor Jim Ledford. Meanwhile, volunteers will continue to prepare...