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Gen Daniel “Chappie” James Bridge
Gen Daniel “Chappie” James Bridge, Near Completion, Gets its F4C Phantom II
by Maj Cris Dosev, USMC (Ret)
Leased to the city of Pensacola from the Air Force Museum at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, the F4C Phantom II that we will be treated to viewing when crossing the nowalmost-complete “Chappie” James Bridge has arrived!
The sleek Phantom was met with much fanfare and excitement on April 22nd as it came to its temporary home at the Naval Aviation Museum, Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Since 1996, the Phantom had been on static display at Music City Executive Airport, 25 miles northeast of Nashville, Tennessee. Representatives of the City of Pensacola, the General Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. Memorial Foundation, and the Chappie James Flight Academy welcomed it to its new city, Pensacola, birthplace of its famous and muchloved pilot.
Restoration of the Phantom, the second element of the anticipated memorial plaza at Wayside Park, commenced immediately. Within a matter of six weeks, it was thoroughly cleaned, restored, and beautifully painted in the camouflage scheme utilized by the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. Tom Meacham of Blast Off, Inc, led the restoration contracting team.
The bridge completion date is tentatively scheduled for the beginning of October this year. Skanska, the bridge builder, has offered to transport the Phantom by barge prior to the company’s departure. It will sail from Naval Air Station Pensacola to be set in its static-display perch located at the bridge landing and plaza.
At this time, the Memorial Foundation is coordinating efforts and completing the necessary engineering drawings for submission to the City of Pensacola for permitting. The engineering team and construction group, in conjunction with the city's parks and recreation department, are assisting in the overall planning and preparation of the 13-acre Wayside Park memorial plaza.
The third element of the plaza will be an 80foot flagpole with a beautiful, large American flag displayed upon it. Arrival of the 10-foot statue of General James will be January 15, 2023, and dedication of the memorial plaza will follow on what would have been General James’ 103rd birthday, February 11, 2023.
Phantom arrives ... still on straps!
From left, Tanner Kirk of Blast Off, Board Member Joe Denmon, Mark Anderson, Board Chairman Cris Dosev, and Bill Achterberg stand in front of the newly repainted F-4 Phantom II aircraft, similar to the one flown by Gen. Daniel "Chappie" James Jr., that is being reassembled and prepared at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola on Thursday, June 2, 2022. The jet will be placed at the new memorial plaza in honor of James at the foot of the Pensacola Bay Bridge. PHOTO COURTESY PENSACOLA NEWS JOURNAL/PNJ. Gregg Pachkowski, photographer.
