Restored F-4 Phantom Jet to be Installed on Pedestal at Eastern Air Defense Sector

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An F-4 Phantom assigned to the Air National Guard

ROME, NY (12/09/2010)(readMedia)-- The New York Air National Guard's Eastern Air Defense Sector will be installing an F-4 Phantom II fighter on Friday, Dec. 10, to commemorate the historic role the former Griffiss Air Force Base played in the history of the United State Air Force. Members of the media are invited to attend and observe.

WHO: Personnel of the Eastern Air Defense Sector and contractors.

WHAT: The installation of an F-4 jet on a pedestal. The F-4 was provided by the Air Force Research Laboratory's Rome Research Site, and restored by Mohawk Valley Community College's Aviation Training Center. The plane is 58-feet-long, has a wingspan of 38 feet and weighs seven tons. It will be moved by truck from Griffiss International Airport to EADS. At EADS, a crane will be used to mount the aircraft on the pedestal.

WHEN: Installation should start at 10 a.m. and will take approximately 2 hours.

WHERE: Eastern Air Defense Sector, 336 Otis Street, Rome NY, 13441

Access: Media planning to attend are encouraged to contact Tim Jones at 315-334-6536 prior to 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 10 to ensure appropriate access to EADS. After 8:30 a.m., call cell number 315-725-5089.

Background:

Movement Route: Road movement starts at 9 a.m. Transport begins at Griffiss International Airport's Gate 18, located near Leonard Bus Sales on Ellsworth Road. Route will be Ellsworth Road to Otis Street to EADS, a distance of less than one mile.

Road Closure: Otis Street Between Ellsworth Road and the Phoenix Drive/ Perimeter Road intersection will be closed to traffic from 10 a.m. to noon.

F-4 Phantom:

The F-4 Phantom served with the United States Air Force from 1960 to 1996, when the last operational plane, flown by the Idaho Air National Guard, made its final landing. The F-4 was originally designed as a fighter for the United States Navy but was quickly embraced by the Air Force. The plane served as a fighter-bomber, and air superiority fighter, and as a "wild Weasel" equipped to knock out enemy air defenses. The aircraft was manned by a crew of two, a pilot and weapons systems operator. The F-4 was operated by a number of NATO countries including Great Britain, Israel, Greece, Germany, and Iran.

Eastern Air Defense Sector:

The Eastern Air Defense Sector is a component of the New York Air National Guard which reports to the North American Aerospace Defense Command. The men and women of EADS provide detection and air defense for the eastern half of the United States.