Restoration/Repaint by the California ANG, 144th FW's 144th MXS, from Fresno CA started on 21 Aug 02
The below photos will document the results of an agreement reached over a year ago between NORAD Commander General Ralph E. "Ed" Eberhart and the Fresno CA ANG's 144th FW Commander Colonel Phil Skains. Basically, in order to reduce costs of restoring Peterson Air and Space Museum's static displays, Fresno offered to "adopt" the Peterson F-106 by traveling to Peterson AFB and restoring/repainting it. The effort has been enthusiastically suported by the Peterson AFB's 21st Space Wing. Additionally, the museum's Foundation and the local 302nd Reserve Unit are assisting in the project. (According to the Museum Director, Mary Elizabeth Ruwell, the current Peterson AFB Commander, BG Duane Deal, used to fly F-106s out of McChord AFB WA). The Fresno team was enroute to Peterson the week of 9/11/01 & had to "RTB". It is now almost a year later and the work has begun as originally agreed upon. The tail number will remain 59-0134 and in recognition of the California ANG's efforts, the aircraft will be painted with the CA ANG white tail and golden bear....Erv..24 Aug 02
Oct 1960 - 323rd F-106 produced
23 Nov 60 - Delivered to USAF
23 Jan 61 - 48th FIS Langley AFB VA
10 July 68 - 318th FIS McChord AFB WA
05 Feb 69 - AFLC directed shipment to ATC at
Lowry as a munitions trainer after a ground fire
rendered the A/C unflyable. (Drop tanks were accidently
ejected on the ground at the conclusion of a WSEM load resulting in a fire that damaged both wings, the fuselage and vertical
stabilizer. Aircraft was shipped during the week of 12 May 69.)
July 69 - To 3415th M & S Gp., Lowry AFB CO
Oct 75 - Lowry AFB CO Technical Training Center
02 Nov 95 - Trucked to Peterson AFB CO for display
