1. Arriving at the base entrance, I was directed to the Operations Building set adjacent to the flight line. This large model of an F-16 greets those entering the facility.
2. The plaque indicates it was dedicated in 1990.
As we gathered in the pilot briefing room, there was uncertainty regarding what the reporters wanted to do. When we made clear our desire to not only ride a bus out to the middle of the airfield to observe the take off, but to photograph the departing airplane on the ground, we were permitted access to the flightline.
3. When I first saw this airplane, I was glad that what for all I knew was the last 183rd aircraft, was placed close to us so we could get some good pictures. I could not believe, however, that a bird opened up so much with many access panels removed for maintenance, would be going anywhere soon.
4. I was correct. The 183rd Public Information Officer (PIO) explained that the last airplane belonging to the unit and slated to depart soon, was parked in the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .distance.
5. From our vantage point at the open-gate fence entrance to the ramp, I knew pictures of the 183rd aircraft would be impossible, so I concentrated the closer one. The fuel truck parked close to tail number 400 was there not to fuel the airplane but to de-fuel it, to off-load fuel, a necessary step for birds slated to spend significant time on the ground.
6. By the time I saw the single individual pictured here, obviously a pilot with his gear and luggage, he had walked, silently through our group. A few seconds after he did, our escort explained the pilot of the departing aircraft had just walked by us. I grabbed a fast shot as he glanced to the side as he headed for a special airplane, the last of the Mohicans, so to speak; the last if the F-16s assigned to the 183rd Fighter wing.
7. Propitiously proximate to us, 400 was an excellent example of the new mission of the unit. We were told told two airplanes were on the base for maintenance: one from the (Washington) DC ANG and one from the Iowa ANG. We were not told the origin of this airplane. It is likely that for security puposes, all aircraft processed through the Springfield facility will have all unit markings removed.
8. This photograph was retouched by the photographer to render a "posterized" color image. Throughout the occasion, the 183rd PIO and attendant assistant were courteous and cooperative in answering our questions. It was made tacitly clear as we were prmitted to walk from the gate entrance to the front of a nearby hangar, that the new location was as close as we would be to the aircraft about to fly away.
9.This picture was taken from the new viewing area. Note how the airplane is positioned so photographers looked into the sun, so that the side of the airplane captured was in shade. There was nothing special about the positioning of the airplane; that's the direction a bird parked on that part of the ramp would face. Even so, the shade obscured the tail number of the airplane, not a concern to most media, but a handicap for aviation historians.
10. Note the open canopy. It indicates the airplane was still being checked out by pilot and support crew prior to engine start.
11. This is the first hangar built for the 170th Tactical Fighter Squadron in 1949. Refurbished many times since, it seems to be smaller in this view than it was up close. Every building on the base and every square inch of concrete and grass were spotlessly maintained.
12. Canopy down and the engine is engaged. Note the solo groundcrewman on the left of the airplane.
13. We were directed to a US Air Force bus for the drive out to Runway 22, a runway closed to air traffic for maintenance, from where we would view the take off.
14. Leading the way was the service truck. In the cabin of that vehicle was likely Colonel Michael Meyer, former active F-16 pilot and now the base cinnander. I was impressed and delighted when, earlier in the morning, I had walked into the ops office and he called me by name, even though we had not seen each other in probably 10 years.
15. Lieutenant Colonel John Patterson taxis the F-16 out of the 183rd ramp . . .
16. . . . and onto the taxiway which would lead to the take off starting point on Runway 31. Numbers of runways all over the world are based on the direction of motion based on a standard compass, minus zeros. For example Runway 31 indicates a northwesterly direction, 50 degrees west of 36 or 360 degrees which is true north. Runway 4 at the airport indicates 40 degrees, northeast.
17. The terminal building is the fulcrum of the east quadrant of Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport. The 183rd base is to the northeast of it, and the original general aviation area is to the southeast.
18. Lt. Col. Patterson turns southeast on the taxiway.
19. With the spire of Oak Ridge Cemetery's Lincoln Tomb rising above the trees in the background, the F-16 appears conspicuously and sadly solitary.
20. Major motion! As he reaches take off speed, Lt. Col.Patterson gently rotates to nose of the F-16 skyward, turning most of the aerodynmically-sculpted airplne into a wing and using that lift to ease gently into the air.
21. Holding the attitude in ground effect allows the airplane to accellerate to optimum speed to commence landing gear retraction and climb out.
22. This airplane has been retouched for artistic effect.
23. The main landing gear struts on either side of the airplane are well on their way into the fuselage as the nose landing gear follows.
24. I don't know the crew who watched from the control tower, but given the fact no one becomes an air traffic controller by accident, unless they really like airplanes and have the smarts to succeed in their profession, it's probably a safe bet there were a few "misty colored memories" in the minds and hearts of those working the morning shift therein.
25. This is not the sharpest picture on the page, but the view of the bird breaking north as Patterson climbed away had to be shared with you. I followed the airplane through my telephoto lens even though he was out of good photo range because I wanted to track his flight until he was headed southwest toward his destination: home of the 187th Fighter Wing, Montgomery, Alabama. We had been told there would be "no departing flyby" earlier in the morning, but as I tracked the airplane, it became clear Lr. Col. Patterson (gladly) had a better idea. It was obvious from his subsequent shallow descent and turn toward the point from which the take off had begun. Without thinking, I shouted to no one in particular, "He's coming back!" and thus alerted the rest of the media.
26. With the Springfield Hilton in the background, a beautiful airplane, ably flown streaks toward an appreciative gathering over Runway 31.
27.
28. This picture was retouched
(solarized) to effect more contrast on the vertical stabilizer of the last 183rd Fighter
Wing F-16 to take off from Springfield.
Note that the tail number displayed -- 87-296 -- is
at variance with the tail number -- 292 -- reported in the Septeamber 24, 2008 State
Journal-Register. I can't explain the variance. All I can do is attest that this
picture shows the tail number of the departing aircraft. Close examination of other
photographs on this page verifies this.
29.
30.
31. Goodbye, Snake.
32. Return to earth! The view from the front of the bus as we headed back to the Operations Building and a briefing by the base commander. We are driving north east on Runway 4. Traditionally Runway 4/22 was the runway used by aircraft requiring long stretches of concrete when arriving and departing. While is is under repair, the recently upgraded Runway 13/31 serves in its place. Note the black borders around the yellow stripes. These, plus large "Xs" painted at both ends of this runway are visual cues to approaching pilots that mean DON'T LAND ON THIS RUNWAY.
33. The F-16, previously on the ramp when the media arrived had been moved to this location when we came back. I do not know the purpose for the grassy berm between the sidewalk where we gathered for the meeting with Col. Meyer. It may be to absorb noise from engines being tested during maintenaqnce.
34. A few yards' walk away reveals the complete airplane. The large hangars in the background are across the aiport on the north quadrant and belong to Standard Aero, a large MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) business that services large business aircraft.
35. Col. Meyer talks with Mark Thoma (WMAY am radio) and John Reynolds (State Journal-Register) at the conclusion of the media event.
36. This foot matt graces the entrance to the 183rd Fighter Wing Operations Building entrance. It will be interesting to see how long it remains there, given the Wing's new mission.