Free Republic

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE - Fifty years and an old runway ago, a T-38 Talon flew over Edwards, marking the beginning of its career. From then on, the aircraft continued to add to its list of accomplishments, and on April 10, Team Edwards celebrated the T-38's first flight and its historical achievements. The T-38 is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer used in a variety of roles because of its design, economy of operations, ease of maintenance, high performance and exceptional safety record. The T-38 has swept wings, a "soda-bottle" shaped fuselage and tricycle landing gear with a steerable nose...

PALMDALE - Congressman Howard P. "Buck" McKeon on Friday toured the Palmdale Plant 42 Heritage Airpark, a collection of aircraft that were designed, produced, tested, flown or modified at the U.S. Air Force's Plant 42. The nine aircraft and a model of a B-2 Spirit were donated by various military branches and aerospace companies, and pieced together and refurbished by volunteers. "I'm impressed with their wealth of talent and dedication," Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford told McKeon, speaking about the volunteers. "Everything here has been done by their own hands. They have such extensive knowledge of aerospace, there is nothing they...

PALMDALE - It took more than six years and thousands of volunteer hours to transform a dusty corner into the Palmdale Plant 42 Heritage Airpark, a showcase for the many noteworthy aircraft conceived, designed, tested and built at the nearby facilities. Lovingly restored aircraft were silhouetted against the setting sun Friday night as guests gathered beneath an elegant tent to celebrate and officially dedicate the airpark and recognize the tremendous efforts of volunteers and donors to make it a reality. "There aren't many monuments dedicated to what (aerospace workers) have done," Mayor Jim Ledford said. "This is the beginning. This...