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Duluth F-16A heads to Air Guard Museum

June 13, 2007 (by Asif Shamim) - One of Duluth's first F-16s began its final journey on the 13th, this time heading for the Minnesota Air Guard Museum.

USAF F-16A ADF #81-0807 of the 179th FS. This aircraft serves with the 148th FS at this moment. [Photo by Mike Kopack]

F-16A block 15, #81-0807 was selected by the Air National Guard as the plane of choice. #81-0807, was one of the early F-16s the Duluth based 148th Fighter Wing received in the 1990s. The jet made its final flight back in February 2007.

The wings, tail, instruments and engine were removed by members of the 148th Maintenance Squadron before being strapped to a trailer for the journey. On its arrival it will be reassembled and will go on display at the museum at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

"It was great training," said Lt. Col. Rob Roningen, commander of the 148th. "It was a great opportunity to throw our young troops onto a project where they got to do something they may only get to do once or twice in their career."

#81-0807 first came to Duluth in 1991 when the 148th began converting from F-4s to F-16 Fighting Falcons. When the wing received newer F-16s in 2003, the plane was sent to Arizona to serve as a trainer. Later, it was stationed in Fargo, N.D.


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