News

Members of 19th MXS restore a Shooting Star

  • Published
  • By Amanda Creel
  • 78 ABW/PA
Robins Air Force Base, Ga. --  For one Black Knight, the decay of a T-33 Shooting Star Trainer in front of the Warner Robins Recreation Department was more than he could bear.

Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Hamilton felt The Shooting Star, which stands on Watson Boulevard as a symbol of the close ties between the Air Force and the city, was "looking pretty shabby."

Chief Hamilton, the superintendent of the 19th Air Refueling Group, didn't just notice the aircraft was in need of attention, he called upon his fellow Black Knights to help restore the aircraft to its original glory.

"I knew with the skills our maintainers in the MXS have, we would be able to do it and make it look real professional," the chief said.

It took a year to make it happen, but members of the 19th ARG spent the past few weeks working to sand and paint the T-33, which was the Air Force's first jet trainer used to prepare pilots to fly the F-80 Shooting Star, a combat jet fighter.

"It's nice knowing what the plane looked like before and what it will look like when we finish it," said Senior Airman Matthew Plank, who helped restore the aircraft.

The four-man 19th MXS team was excited to have the opportunity to not only spruce up a part of the local community, but to preserve a piece of Air Force heritage.

The best part of working on the T-33 is the knowledge it will be here even after the Black Knights close their doors, said Senior Airman Jason Fleming.

Staff Sgt. Derek Holcomb said he thinks it is important for the 19th MXS to continue giving back to the community.

"It shows the community we take pride in what we do," he said.

However, the aircraft is not just a piece of Air Force history; it is also a familiar piece of the Warner Robins Air Logistic Center's story. The WR-ALC was responsible for maintaining T-33 aircraft. The Center prepared more than 500 T-33s for deployment to Europe under Project High Flight between 1954 and 1958.

Though it was members of the 19th MXS providing the labor for the project, Master Sgt. Andrew Carlisle said the project was truly a community effort.

The city of Warner Robins provided the equipment and the Museum of Aviation provided the materials that allowed the Black Knights to restore the aircraft to its original technical orders.

"It's going to be a great feeling to know even though the Black Knights are leaving, we will have a legacy here," said Chief Master Sgt. Marvin Griffin, maintenance squadron superintendent.

Airman 1st Class Michael Castile said it was a great feeling to know he was " a part of the legacy. I helped with the legacy. I was here."

The Airmen agreed it was rewarding to know they were instrumental in putting the Black Knights stamp on another part of Middle Georgia.

"With all of the stuff the community has done for us, we feel this was an appropriate way to give back to the community prior to our closure," Chief Hamilton said.