Photo By Ariana Ortega | Members of the 412th Civil Engineer Squadron and the Crashed, Damaged and Disabled...... read more read more
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The F-84 Thunderjet was a beautiful but temperamental beast. Early models were so plagued by engine issues that the Air Force nearly scrapped the program entirely. Yet, the aircraft evolved into the F-84F Thunderstreak, a mature, rugged and nuclear-capable workhorse.
Since the YF-84 prototype’s first flight at Edwards Air Force Base in 1950, the series underwent massive modifications, shifting from straight to swept wings and transforming from a standard fighter to a heavy-hitting fighter-bomber. Outfitted with the Low Altitude Bombing System, the F-84F was ready to serve as a front-line deterrent during the Cold War. To evade Soviet radar, pilots were trained to fly the modified jets at treetop level before pulling into a sharp, vertical climb. This daring maneuver would have allowed the aircraft to release nuclear weapons and immediately escape the blast radius; however, while pilots stood ready, the capability was never needed in combat.
The F-84F tail number 51-9350 retired in 1964 and endured a turbulent civilian life. Sold to a private party and neglected for years, it was eventually rescued, restored and relocated to Indiana. The Thunderstreak was later brought to Edwards to join the Flight Test Museum's collection. It remained on display there until August 2026, when it received a new mission: serving as a historic monument at the base’s south gate.
"The Flight Test Museum is proud to have provided an aircraft from its collection to be placed at the south entrance of Edwards," said George Welsh, director of the Flight Test Museum. "One of the reasons for this aircraft to be chosen was the YF-84's first flight, which took place at Edwards."
The aircraft's journey across the installation began with a massive lift. Members of the 412th Civil Engineer Squadron and the Crashed, Damaged and Disabled Aircraft Recovery Team used a 55-ton crane to hoist the jet onto a tractor-trailer specially modified by the 412th Maintenance Squadron.
"The 412th Civil Engineer Group proudly contributed to the wing commander's intent to create a base we can all be proud of by improving first impressions at the installation gates," said Matthew Bernhardt, acting chief of staff for the 412th CEG. "Our task quickly transitioned from moving an airplane to saving, restoring and displaying a piece of our heritage at a place of prominence for the Edwards community to enjoy for many years to come."
While moving a retired aircraft across an active military installation might seem straightforward, the relocation required meticulous coordination, heavy labor and cross-unit collaboration.
“Relocating the historic F-84F aircraft to its new home as the south gate guardian required weeks of meticulous planning and seamless multi-agency coordination. The CDDAR team was vital to this mission, leading route planning, aircraft preparation, equipment selection and the critical execution of lifting and moving this delicate airframe,” Robert Turner, CDDAR team chief said. “It was a humbling experience for our team to safely handle this piece of history and, in a sense, put this aircraft into the air one final time.”
Members of the 412th Civil Engineer Squadron and the Crashed, Damaged and Disabled Aircraft Recovery Team used a 55-ton crane to hoist the F-84F Thunderstreak tail number 51-9350 onto a specially modified tractor-trailer at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 14. The aircraft was relocated to the base's south gate as part of a collaborative initiative to bring aviation history to the installation entry points. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ariana Ortega)
Once the jet was secured, the 412th Security Forces Squadron stepped in, temporarily closing the gate and a section of Lancaster Boulevard. With traffic safely diverted, the historic airframe slowly rolled from point A to point B, settling into its new retirement home.
Members of the 412th Civil Engineer Squadron and the Crashed, Damaged, and Disabled Aircraft Recovery team transported the F-84F Thunderstreak tail number 51-9350 to the south gate at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 14. The 412th Security Forces Squadron diverted traffic to allow the aircraft to be moved from the Flight Test Museum to its new home as a permanent gate guard. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brandon Hernandez)
"The 412th SFS is excited to have the F-84F in the South Gate area," Lt. Col. Taylor Farris, 412th SFS commander, said. "It is a solid reminder of our heritage as test defenders and how the base ground defense we provide sharpens American airpower. It is also an impressive welcome to the base as people enter south gate and advances the Test Wing focus of building a vibrant on-base community."
This relocation is a triumph of both aviation preservation and base beautification. First impressions matter, and the F-84 will now serve as a permanent, striking welcome to the installation.
| Date Taken: | 08.18.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.19.2026 17:37 |
| Story ID: | 572786 |
| Location: | EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 20 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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