Public Affairs, Volume 63, Number 60
Serving the community of Edwards Air Force Base California www.edwards.af.mil - www.facebook.com/EdwardsAirForceBase
Sept. 23, 2016
Experimental bomber returns home after six decades
The fuselage of the XB-47A Stratojet heads south on Rocket Site Road toward Rogers Dry Lake and its temporary home at North Base. The aircraft arrived disassembled aboard several flatbed trucks Sept. 19. It is expected to be reassembled, refurbished, and displayed at the Air Force Flight Test Museum within the next year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Ball)
By Christopher Ball 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
A historic aircraft with close ties to Edwards Air Force Base returned to its roots after more than six decades Monday morning. The XB-47A Stratojet bomber, an icon of aerospace history,
returned to Edwards Air Force Base at approximately 9 a.m., arriving disassembled on several flatbed trucks. The aircraft entered the base on Rocket Site road, then proceeded across Rogers Dry Lake to its temporary home on North Base for reassembly and restoration by Air Force Flight Test Museum volunteers. George Welsh, AFFT Museum director, said the restoration will be done in stages. “The assembly and external restoration of the aircraft should take about one year,” he said. Once the aircraft is assembled and cleaned up, it will be painted and ready for display at the museum. Then the restoration team can go to work refurbishing the internal areas of the plane – like the cockpit and bomb bays – that will be seen by the public. “It will be an ongoing effort,” he said. “I think it would be really cool for visitors to see volunteers restoring the cockpit.” The XB-47A was the precursor to the U.S. Air Force’s strategic bomber aircraft family, to include the B-52 Stratofortress, B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit. Its multi-engine and swept wing profile were major innovations in post-World War II combat jet design, and contributed to the development of modern commercial jet airliners. See XB-47, page 3
Edwards first responders show support for fallen K-9 officer By Kenji Thuloweit 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
The Edwards Air Force Base Fire Department and 412th Security Forces Squadron joined first responders from across the state to honor a fallen K-9 officer from the California City Police Department Sept. 19.
(U.S. Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit)
A memorial service was held at the Strata Center in California City’s Central Park for Ty, who died Sept. 7 while undergoing a procedure to fix his already surgically repaired back. Ty was injured when trying to subdue a suspect last month in California City. Edwards has mutual aid agreements with California City law enforcement and emergency responders, which creates a close working relationship with the city that is home to many base workers and is just 20 minutes north of the installation.
California City Police Department K-9 officer Ty in action at Tortoise Days Celebration 2016 at California City Central Park this past May. (Courtesy photo by Kane Wickham/Mojave Desert News)