PORTAGE, MI
– The
in Portage is the new home for a unique military artifact.
An engine nacelle from an A-10 Thunderbolt that was damaged by a missile during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 was transported from the Air National Guard Base in Battle Creek to the Air Zoo on Wednesday.
An engine nacelle, or cowling, is an enclosure that houses the engine. The 110th Airlift Wing, based in Battle Creek, operated the aircraft when it was damaged.
Maj. Gary "Wolfman" Wolf was piloting the plane on April 8, 2003 when it took off from Kuwait to support troops as they approached Baghdad. The aircraft was providing low-altitude overhead reconnaissance when it was struck in the right engine by an enemy surface-to-air missile, according to a press release.
"Although the initial impact was substantial, the aircraft never departed controlled flight," Wolf said in a press release. "This is a true testament to the combat survivability of the A-10."
Despite extensive damage, Wolf was able to pilot the aircraft 120 miles to safety. The engine and nacelle were replaced and the aircraft was put back into action. The damaged nacelle was flown back to Battle Creek, according to the release.
Ronald Wilson, 110th Vice Commander, led a maintenance team in the restoration efforts and assembly of the cowling for display.
"The cowling was destined for the scrap pile," Wilson said. "We had been out of the A-10 business for some time. When I approached our maintenance folks to see if there was any possibility to save this historical piece of our heritage, they jumped right in."
Contact Anthony Smigiel at asmigiel@mlive.com.