Pro Crane and the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing Recovery Team take on the task of recovering Vietnam Era F-100 Super Sabre. The crew joined the 185th Air Refueling Wing Crash Damage Deposit Recovery team in Sioux City, Iowa to remove Super Sabre aircraft from its pedestal. 

The 185th Refueling Wing was established in Sioux City in December 1946.  Among the many aircrafts that are on display at this base, the F-100 Super Sabre is one of few remaining units that flew to Vietnam. The 185th flew the F-100 from 1961 to 1977.  To read more about the history of the 185th Refueling Wing and the F-100 aircraft click here.

The aircraft had been on display for almost 20 years and had become weathered in need of cleaning and repainting. In order for it to be restored, the aircraft needed to be removed from its pedestal. The recovery team assisted with removing the fastener that held the aircraft in place. After the recovery team managed to remove the fastener, the Pro Crane crew fastened the straps around the aircraft to be lifted and removed from the pedestal. Using the Hydraulic Crane, Link Belt 3140, the crew was able to safely and carefully remove the aircraft from the pedestal. 

The recovery team prepared large pneumatic lifting bags to rest the aircraft on the ground. These bags gave the aircraft a safe and firm foundation protecting it from being damaged. With the recovery team’s assistance, Pro Crane’s operator lowered the aircraft onto these bags. 

And with that, the Pro Crane crew successfully completed their project with the 185TH Air Refueling Wing Recovery Team. Next stop for the aircraft is the Air National Guard Paint Facility where it will be repainted. We are excited to see its transformation in the coming spring of 2022 when it’s back on display.