@ McMinnville, OR
May 2012
Saw this pole-mounted Eagle at the McMinnville Municipal Airport, right across the highway from the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. This F-15 is part of the Museum collection and is also a memorial dedicated to Major Rhory Draeger and Captain Michael King Smith, who with his father, Delford F. Smith, CEO of Evergreen International Aviation, founded the museum. Capt. Smith was a F-15A Eagle pilot with the 123rd Fighter Squadron (Oregon Air National Guard). Sadly both he and Maj. Rhory Draeger were killed in a 1995 automobile accident. On September 19, 1996, Evergreen crews and members of the Oregon ANG placed this F-15A Eagle onto the pedestal where it now resides. The F-15 was notable in many ways, one being the first US aircraft to have a thrust-to-weight ratio greater than one, allowing for vertical acceleration while climbing. Delivered in 1977, this A-model Eagle was in service from 1972-1992. The F-15 has a combined air-to-air combat record of 104 kills and zero losses as of February 2008. Nikon D7000 w/18-200mm.
