Happy Hooligans' last plane departs [Image 1 of 4]

FARGO, ND, UNITED STATES

08.27.2013

Photo by Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp 

North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

U.S. Air Force Col. Kent Olson, 119th Wing commander, speaks to unit members of the 119th Wing and civilian journalists at a press conference prior to the departure of the last C-21 aircraft number 40064, Aug. 27, 2013, at the North Dakota Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D. He is piloting the aircraft on its final flight for the unit before the plane retires to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, near Dayton, Ohio, during an Aug. 28, 2013, ceremony. This particular aircraft was the first C-21 Lear Jet built for the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft is the last to depart the unit during a mission conversion, leaving the unit without a manned flying mission for the first time since it began in 1947. North Dakota is now the only state in the United States without a manned flying mission. The unit has an outstanding flying record with more than 175,000 hours without a Class A mishap in a manned aircraft. The 119th Wing is one of only two Air National Guard units to be selected for the U.S. Air Force Hughes Trophy, awarded to flying units, and the only Air National Guard unit to win the award twice. The unit also won the William Tell World-Wide Meet fighter competition three times while flying fighters. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs)

• Date Taken: 08.27.2013
• Date Posted: 08.27.2013 16:30
• Photo ID: 1004018
• VIRIN: 130827-Z-WA217-151
• Resolution: 1993x3000
• Size: 561.09 KB
• Location: FARGO, ND, US