Today is the day! 
The dismantled F-105 is arriving from its former home in Texas! There is a special transport team that will reassemble the dismantled airplane in Aviation Heritage Park where it will be restored. We will be announcing F-1-5 Alive, a program we hope you will join to help us with our project to restore, preserve and add this magnificent aircraft to our collection of aircraft used in the defense of our country.
There are only 90 of this historically important aircraft remaining. Originally designed as a supersonic nuclear strike aircraft, the F-105 conducted the majority of strike bombing missions in the early years of the Vietnam War. The venerable Republic F-105 F Thunderchief was a United States Air Force fighter/bomber capable of Mach 2 (1,480 mph). Known as the “Thud,” it was one of the primary aircraft used in high-speed, low-altitude missions in the Vietnam War. This version of the F-105, with additional modifications, became the F-105G. It included a second seat for the electronic warfare officer (EWO) and was used to suppress enemy air defenses. Nicknamed “Wild Weasel,” the F-105G’s primary mission was to find and destroy surface-to-air missile sites.
In keeping with AHP’s mission to showcase aviators from South Central Kentucky, two highly decorated pilots and their EWOs will be honored in the exhibit when this aircraft is restored.
General Joseph Ralston from Fairview, Ky, served as a fighter pilot with more than 2500 flying hours, including 147 combat missions over Laos and North Vietnam. Ralston went from the ROTC program to flying the THUD to serving as the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as well as Commander of NATO. He is the highest-ranking airman that Kentucky has ever produced.
Lt Col Billy Sparks was from Hart County. He flew over 145 combat sorties and logged 2,250 hours in a THUD. He and his EWO, Major Carlos Lombardo flew 82 sorties together. During his 20 years of service, he received three Silver Stars, seven Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 15 Air Medals. Sparks was one of the prominent members of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association (River Rats).
