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CONNIE RESTORED

  • Published
  • By Ken LaFayette
  • 72nd ABW PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla --  It appeared the Vietnam era plane had finally met its match. Years of damage from the Oklahoma sun, not to mention the occasional hail and ice storm, had taken its toll on the EC-121 Constellation "Connie" nestled inside the 552nd Air Control Wing's Memorial Park.

Not only was the EC-121 looking a little "weathered" but, according to Curtis Swift, a 552nd ACW historian, the EC-121 on display was not up to Air Force standards.
"AFI 84-103 requires aerospace vehicles on display meet minimum standards to prevent further deterioration," said Mr. Swift.

The wing decided to take action and formed a restoration team headed by members of the 552nd Maintenance Group.

Master Sgt. George Childers, 552nd Maintenance Squadron, and his team took on the seemingly unexciting task of cleaning, stripping and repainting the plane. However as fate would have it, this wouldn't be simple task.

Soon after starting work, the team found more than their share of surprises.
"Once we started work we noticed birds flying from holes in the aircraft we hadn't noticed during the initial inspections," said Sergeant Childers. They also discovered that a 4-foot long snake had taken up residence in the No. 2 engine cowling.
"We were going about our work and we noticed this snake sticking his head from the cowling," said Mike Phillips.

If that wasn't enough the team learned that there was oil and fuel that remained on the plane since its delivery in 1978.

But after lots of hard work and sweat, the Connie was finally restored to near mint condition, re-establishing the legacy that reaches back to the dawn of Airborne Warning and Control and the 552nd ACW.

"The restored Connie was a long time coming, but it represents the long and distinguished history of the wing and although many of our young Airmen only know the E-3 Sentry as Airborne Surveillance and Battle Management, the wing's legacy goes back much farther," said Mr. Swift.

Col. John Rauch, 552nd ACW commander agreed.
"I think it is important to preserve our heritage and the Connie helps us maintain that link," he said.

Chief Master Sgt. Scott Magoon, 552nd ACW command chief, knows the legacy of the EC-121 and the contributions and sacrifices of the Airmen who flew and supported it..

"I recently had the opportunity to talk to a retired flight engineer who flew on both the Connie and AWACS and it was extremely interesting to hear his love and passion for both planes and the history that he is part of in this wing," said Chief Magoon. "The Connie is a living part of history for our Air Force and this wing and we need to show our Airmen the pride and respect we have for our past, as well as the present and the future."


According to Heather Melsby, a 552nd ACW historian, the EC-121 flew 98,777 hours in combat and had an essential role in the Vietnam War, directing fighters against enemy aircraft, controlling air refueling operations and guiding rescue planes to downed pilots.
This specific plane, Aircraft 0-03552, arrived at Tinker in October 1985 and was the last EC-121 to fly.


Because of the historical significance it played while assigned to 552nd ACW and what it means to the wing's Airmen, the restoration will ensure it will be enjoyed for decades to come.
"Maintaining the Connie is important to preserve the legacy it represents for the current Airmen of the 552nd ACW and those that follow," Colonel Rauch said. "It is a real reminder of the contribution and sacrifices made by those Airmen who paved the way for what we do, airborne battle management."

"The 552nd flew the EC-121 with distinction and we are glad to have a piece of that history displayed on Tinker AFB."

Besides the EC-121, "Connie Park" holds memorials in honor of the "Warning Star" Airmen, POW/MIA, Yukla 27 aircrew, the Oklahoma City bombing victims and Canadian Forces Maj. Craig Abbott.