People Near Here - Cold War Relics

As you drive north on U.S. Route 9 into the City of Plattsburgh, you are greeted by two landmarks, relics of the Cold War that are on display near the entrance to the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base. For 50 years, the base was home to a wide variety of the country's flying military arsenal from the KC-135 Stratotanker to the B-52. Today all that remains from that era are an FB-111 fighter jet and B-47 bomber, that serve as a reminder of the days when Plattsburgh was one of the nation’s top Strategic Air Command bases. But time, and weather, have taken a toll on these war planes, so a group of USAF veterans has stepped up to restore them and bring them back to life. Our Derek Muirden has been following the story since the rehabilitation work began last summer, and shows us in this installment of People Near Here.
To volunteer to help with the next phase, the restoration of the B-47, text your name and phone number to Col. Joe McNichols at 518-569-8564.

The planes are on display at Clyde Lewis Park which is near the entrance to the former Air Force Base, just off the Route 9 traffic circle near Skyway Plaza in South Plattsburgh.

[RoyHarperLighthouseGuy]

Thanks for sharing. I have great memories of my time at Plattsburgh AFB from September 1973 thru July 1975.

[bwinmaine]

I crossed paths with the F-111 several times in my life, first in Fort Worth Texas, Carswell AFB, where as a young airman I was assigned to troubleshoot and repair the revolutionary autopilot and navigation systems for the brand new FB-111A which was just beginning to roll off the assembly line in 1969. From Carswell the FB-111A deployed to two bases, Pease AFB in New Hampshire and Plattsburgh AFB in upstate New York. From Carswell I transferred to the upstart F-111E program at Upper Heyford, England. Once out of the Air Force and settled back in Maine I and many of my fellow Mainers witnessed these FB versions streaking low level across remote areas of Maine, frequently low enough and fast enough to scare the bejesus out of us.
Quite a few years ago, but well after Plattsburgh's closing, I visited this site in Plattsburgh and showed my wife and kids just what it was I had been involved in back in the day. It's great to see this old bird loved and appreciated enough to be reconditioned and preserved. Good job! I don't expect to ever see one fly again but what a legend this airplane was over the years. If a nation could ever be in love with an airplane, this is it. In fact, Australians loved their F-111's right to the very end and well beyond.

[ronhaworth]

Stationed PAFB 75-79.
Home of The Fairchild Trophy.

[jssossajonathana]

My name is Frank Hubert and I was there from Dec 1955 to Aug 1957 as an airman 2nd class and assigned to base supply under the supervision of major John grill and mrsj. J r states

[Machine]

Blue flight. 1987 to 1991. Crewchief

[toddhall]

I'm with fort drum and I'm sorry we need to get this fb111 on the runway and it needs to run again why federal grants and fort drum from Jefferson new York and when we get deployed it would be good to have good air support for our fort drum ground forces I like to see what local peoples input is thank you for your time