An Iowa Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopter picks up a historic F-80 fighter jet from the Air National Guard paint facility in Sioux City, Iowa, April 11, 2023. The helicopter from the Iowa National Guard B/171 Aviation Regiment based in Davenport brought the jet back to Camp Dodge to be placed on static display. (U.S. Air National Guard photo Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot)
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SIOUX CITY, Iowa – An Iowa Army National Guard CH-47 helicopter flew to Sioux City this week to pick up a Korean War-era F-80 fighter jet from the Air National Guard paint facility.
After being painted, the F-80 Shooting Star was returned to the state headquarters via sling-load and placed back on static display.
Two U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters from the Iowa National Guard’s B/171 Aviation Regiment based in Davenport brought the jet back to Camp Dodge before returning to the Quad Cities.
The Korean War-era jet has markings from the 174th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, the predecessor to the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City.
The Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star was the first jet-powered aircraft flown by the U.S. Army Air Force when it was introduced in the mid-1940s at the end of World War II.
By keeping historic aircraft on display, the Iowa National Guard is obligated to ensure they are kept in good repair. With the new paint, the aircraft should be in good shape for years to come.