The United States Air Force has awarded a retired F-16 Thunderbird demonstration aircraft to Union Local High School in Ohio, marking the first time the service has provided an authentic Thunderbird jet to a civilian educational institution rather than to military bases or state museums.
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The historic decision, announced in July 2025, represents a significant shift in Air Force asset disposition policy. Previously, decommissioned Thunderbird aircraft were exclusively allocated to military bases and state museums.
“The United States Air Force has never given a Thunderbird out to the public,” said Dirk Davis, president of the Union Local Afterburners, the community committee that spearheaded the acquisition effort. “This has always gone to the military bases and then went to state museums. Union Local was lucky enough. We applied and we got it. Like winning the lottery.”
The acquisition represents the culmination of a seven-year procurement effort that began in 2018 when the Union Local Afterburners submitted their initial request through the Air Force’s Static Display Program. The service approved the application in August 2021, initiating years of preparation and fundraising activities.
Key program stakeholders included Melissa Shaw, Static Display Program Coordinator, and Mark J. Wertheimer, Museum Curator, both with the United States Air Force, who guided the committee through the complex approval process.
The project achieved a significant milestone in late 2024 when Union Local successfully presented to Air Force officials, resulting in their advancement from position #53 to #1 on the service’s waiting list. Communications with Worldwide Aircraft Recovery for transportation logistics to Ohio commenced shortly thereafter.
The retired F-16 will undergo standard demilitarization procedures at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas, where technicians will remove the engine and seats to prepare the aircraft for long-term static display. This process ensures compliance with Air Force security protocols while maintaining the aircraft’s educational and historical value.
Infrastructure preparation has been completed through private contractor Richard Pryor of Buckeye Steel, with installation services provided by John Tressel of The Tressel Company. The display platform features an 18-foot pedestal designed to support the aircraft’s weight and provide optimal viewing angles for educational purposes.
Aircraft installation is scheduled for spring 2026, pending completion of demilitarization procedures and transportation logistics coordination.
The entire project was funded exclusively through private donations collected by the Union Local Afterburners organization, with contributions from alumni, community members, and local businesses. No public or school district funds were utilized in the acquisition or installation process.
“This is more than just a plane—it’s a symbol of perseverance, patriotism, and pride for the students and the entire community,” said Pete Busack, Union Local Afterburners committee member.
For more information, hit the Source below
One Thunderbird F-16 for the Udvar Hazy next to a Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet already there. We could add a F-16C Mig Killer next to a F-15C Mig killer to be installed eventually.