casey Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 The "War Eagle" C-130 aircraft left its military legacy of valor to a newer model on Friday. An official transfer of heritage and retirement ceremony took place at Maxwell Air Force Base when the 908th Airlift Wing reserve unit transferred the heritage and "War Eagle" nose art from aircraft 85-0040 along with the memorabilia to the newer aircraft 91-9142. Cadets from the university's Air Force ROTC Detachment were on hand and take part in the ceremony. The "War Eagle" C-130 aircraft left its military legacy of valor to a newer model on Friday. An official transfer of heritage and retirement ceremony took place at Maxwell Air Force Base when the 908th Airlift Wing reserve unit transferred the heritage and "War Eagle" nose art from aircraft 85-0040, c/n 5083 along with the memorabilia to the newer aircraft 91-9142 c/n 5295 . Cadets from the university's Air Force ROTC Detachment were on hand and take part in the ceremony The "War Eagle" used by the 908th Airlift Wing at Maxwell contains more than the blue and orange moniker for the Auburn University football team. Stepping inside to climb the cockpit, one can't help but notice the painted emblem of the Purple Heart, the military decoration awarded to those wounded or killed while serving. This particular plane saw war, was wounded and still brought its precious cargo of troops to safety. While in Iraq in 2005, "War Eagle" took a rocket through one of its engines and managed to land safely, while still on fire with 55 soldiers on board. The maintenance personnel downrange swapped out the propeller and engine, put some temporary patches on it and sent it home for a complete repair, said Col. Jerry Lobb, chief of public affairs for the 908th. Despite being badly damaged and repaired, the aircraft continued to fight and carry university memorabilia around the world since then. "War Eagle" is the third of eight C-130 Hercules aircraft to retire from the 908th since January when it was announced that the Reserve unit will be replacing their eight older model planes with newer planes from the 914th Airlift Wing at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York Source: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/local/dispatch/2017/02/24/war-eagle-c-130-leaves-combat-legacy-newer-model/98309996/ image: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/picture-gallery/news/2017/02/24/908th-retires-older-c-130-war-eagle/98369044/ View full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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