C-21; Departure; Conversion; Lear; Retired; Pilot; Olson; Derrig; Krapp
U.S. Air Force C-21 pilots from left to right Col. Brad Derrig, the 119th Wing vice-commander, Col. Kent Olson, the 119th Wing commander, and Lt. Col. Jerrad Krapp, the 177th Airlift Squadron commander, pose for a photo near C-21 aircraft number 40064 moments before the launch it for the final time from the North Dakota Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., Aug. 27, 2013. The aircraft is making its’ final flight for the unit before being retired at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton, Ohio, Aug. 28, 2013. 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. It will be the only state in the United States without a manned flying mission. The unit has an outstanding flying record with over 174,000 hours without a class A mishap in 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 fighter competition three times while flying fighters. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by SMSgt. David H. Lipp/Released)