On Tuesday at the Webster County Board of Supervisor’ regular meeting, the board approved a measure that will request the jet remain in Fort Dodge on loan from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

After the National Guard announced that the local squadron would be closing, Webster County Engineer Jamie Johll contacted Lt. Col. Jason Kolacia, the unit’s commander, to inquire about the county taking possession of the plane. Johll said that final details are still being worked out on the loan of the plane from the museum, but his hope is to have the jet placed in the center of a roundabout south of the Fort Dodge Regional Airport. That roundabout is scheduled to be constructed next year.

“I think this will be great for our community,” said Johll. “Besides being a cool machine, it’s also a piece of local history, both as a reminder of the 133rd and of memories of Santa in the cockpit It will be a great tie-in with the airport being right there.”

At Tuesday’s meeting, Johll told the board that the placement of the jet at the airport will still need to be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, but that it is within requirements.

-Submitted image
The jet could be placed in the center of a roundabout south of the Fort Dodge Regional Airport.

The Air Force F-84F Thunderstreak fighter jet was placed in service in 1954. It had been in fighter wings based out of Oklahoma, Texas, Ohio, New Mexico, and in France. It has been on display at the 133rd Test Squadron since 1979.

The fighter jet spans 33 feet, 7 inches, and weighs 27,000 pounds. It’s length is 43 feet, 5 inches, and is 15 feet high. Its armament once included six .50-cal machine guns, 24 five-inch rockets, and 6,000 pounds of bombs. The Thunderstreak’s maximum speed was 685 miles per hour with cruising speed at 535 miles per hour.