Scott assists WWII era aircraft for flight

The 375th Operations Support Squadron worked with many base units to assist Brad Deckert Nov. 22, 2015. Deckert is the owner of a 1945 TBM Avenger, Torpedo Bomber, and visited Scott to repair parts of the aircraft. After repairs the Avenger, Deckert was able to complete a test flight and prepared to leave Nov. 24, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Kiana Brothers)

Scott assists WWII era aircraft for flight

A 1945 TBM Avenger was brought to Scott Air Force Base, Ill. for maintenance repairs Nov. 22, 2015. This same aircraft was parked on the deck of an aircraft carrier in Tokyo Bay when the surrender was signed by the Japanese. Scott’s Operations Support Squadron provided Brad Deckert, owner of the aircraft, with the best accommodations and necessary supplies needed to complete the job. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Airman 1st Class Kiana Brothers)

Scott assists WWII era aircraft for flight

After a show in Hawaii, the 1945 TBM Avenger was flown to Scott in a C-5 Galaxy Nov. 22, 2015. Brad Deckert, the owner of the Avenger, needed a place to repair maintenance issues. Scott’s 375th Operations Support Squadron and Logistics Readiness Squadron both worked together to provide the best service for Brad. This same aircraft was parked on the deck of an aircraft carrier in Tokyo Bay when the surrender was signed by the Japanese. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Kiana Brothers)

Scott assists WWII era aircraft for flight

The 375th Operations Support Squadron assisted Brad Deckert with his 1945 TBM Torpedo Bomber Nov. 22, 2015, at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Deckert came from Hawaii, where he performed his most recent airshow with the Torpedo Bomber. While at Scott repairs were being made to the aircraft in hopes of flying it back home. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Kiana Brothers)

Scott assists WWII era aircraft for flight

Published Dec. 3, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Kiana Brothers
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill -- Scott AFB personnel recently assisted in getting a World War II era aircraft ready to fly the skies again after arriving here from Hawaii via a C-5 Galaxy.

The 1945 TBM Avenger, Torpedo Bomber, which has seen action during the war to include dropping bombs over Okinawa, came to the base Nov. 22 for some small repairs before heading home near Peoria, Illinois.

Owner and pilot of the Avenger, Brad Deckert, said he'd been traveling and performing fly-overs at air shows all year with the aircraft, most recently in Hawaii, and said he came to Scott because it's closest to his home base of operations. He also needed assistance in getting the wings back on the aircraft since they were removed to fit inside the C-5 Galaxy.

With the help of a dedicated five-person team and two days of work, Deckert flew a test flight and headed home Nov. 25 just in time for Thanksgiving. He is also getting ready for one last flight of the season--a Dec. 7 flyover to commemorate the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack.

The 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron team, along with Master Sgt. Anthony Veschusio, vehicle operations superintendent, and Master Sgt. Tracy Curtis, small air terminal section chief, supported the unloading of the aircraft and crates from the C-5 Galaxy. The 375th Operations Support Squadron provided Deckert with accommodations, necessary supplies, and maintenance capabilities.

Along with unloading the aircraft, providing forklift drivers and lending equipment when needed, 375th OSS personnel also assisted with removing crates and trash from Hangar 1 when the mission was finished.

In addition, Tech. Sgt. Bo Wilcox, 932nd Maintenance Squadron, adjusted the C-40 parking plan in Hangar 1 for the Avenger. This gave the contractors a place to work indoors.

Master Sgt. Bryan Greene, 375th OSS airfield manager, said, "The Airfield Management team was here 24/7, coordinating fuel, nitrogen and parking. The air traffic team helped them provide a fly-over Tuesday morning for a test flight. This was a team effort and all these agencies helped make this mission a success."

Deckert bought the Avenger seven years ago from the Fargo Air Museum in North Dakota and said this plane was parked on the deck of an aircraft carrier in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrendered. He said he and the crew were "very appreciative" of the support from the base.

"The most rewarding part about owning this plane is the interaction with the veterans," he said.

After the Dec. 7 flight, the aircraft will rest for the winter so Deckert can continue to do some restoration and repair work on it. He also said he hopes to come back out to the Scott air show again in the near future. Scott AFB base is planning to host an airshow for its Centennial Anniversary in 2017, and more details will be provided as they become available.