The alert facility – alert pad to many – is scheduled for demolition on September 22, 2021. 199th Fighter Squadron aircrews all have memories – good, bad and funny – of their time spent at the pad.
The alert facility was dedicated on October 22, 1958 and served for 63 years. The 199th Fighter Squadron and their F-86 Sabers began 24-hour active air defense alert at 0001 on October 23, 1958. Since then, the hanger facility has housed F-86s, F-102 Delta Daggers, F-4 Phantoms, F-15 Eagles and the current F-22s.
There was a “Sunset of the Old Alert Pad” event on Friday, September 17, 2021. It was a short notice event but several ROMEOs showed up for “some pizza, beers, cigars, and stories.”
Special thanks to Braden “Mongo” Sakai for forwarding these photographs to Retiree News and added provided these comments.
A enjoyable yet a little misty time had by all. Good to see and catch up with some good friends and a little sad to say good bye to the old alert pad. A lot of good memories and some of the best meals were had there.
Related articles:
Check Six – Late 1950s: Scramble at the Alert Pad
Check Six – 1960: At the Alert Pad
BTW: ROMEOS – Retired Old Men Eating Out is an unofficial group of retired 199th Fighter Squadron aircrew who meet periodically for lunch.
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