You’ve Heard of Punxsatawney Phil, But Do You Know Jimmy?
By Savannah Owens Punxsatawney Phil, Buckeye Chuck, and Jimmy: that’s right, it’s Groundhog Day 2018. February 2nd, aka Groundhog day, houses an unusual but fun 132 year tradition of looking to groundhogs . Groundhog day was celebrated for the first time in Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsatawney, Pennsylvania in 1887. “According to tradition, if a groundhog comes out of its hole on this day and sees its shadow, it gets...
Aviation History: VC-137C 85-6973 (SAM 973)
SAM 973 entered active service in Aug. 1985, when the Air Force acquired the aircraft from the United States Customs Service. The aircraft was originally built in March 1969 at the Boeing Company, in Seattle. It was constructed as a Boeing 707-396C, serial number 20043. The aircraft was built with a large cargo door on the left side of the fuselage and began service as a cargo/passenger transport. An Austrian leasing company operated...
Your Constitutional Rights: What You Need to Know.
By Savannah Owens Most people don’t realize the full extent of their constitutional rights and the protection afforded by the Bill of Rights. KSST sat down with defense attorney Martin Braddy, to talk about basic constitutional rights and what you need to know. The first step is to know your basics. You can’t exercise your rights if you don’t know what they are. “There’s law and then the reality of the...
Aviation History: The Future Air Force One
The Air Force awarded a contract modification to Boeing on Aug. 4, 2017, to purchase two commercial 747-8 aircraft for future modification to replace the two aging VC-25A Presidential support aircraft. The two 747-8 jets are built and have been in storage at the Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) in Victorville, California. The decision to purchase ready-made commercial airliners instead of custom-built aircraft is part of...
Aviation History: VC-137C 62-6000
This is probably the most famous aircraft of all the Boeing 707 family, as it was operated as the personal aircraft of the President of the United States by the 98th Air Transport Squadron, 89th Military Airlift Wing, USAF, from Andrews Air Force Base near Washington D.C. Known as “Air Force One”, VC-137C was the military VIP designation for this Boeing 707-320B, of which 62-6000 was the first delivered to the Presidential...
Tira News-January 5th, 2018
By Jan Vaughn Yvonne Weir reported that they had a busy Christmas. They had 10 extra on Saturday night, with Dustin and Destri and their families, and then the Dacy and her family came on Sunday and they all snacked and opened gifts. The kids had a good time running around playing together. Sarah and Lucas came on Christmas Day. Yvonne adds, “We met Dustin and Eleanor and Lukkas Kuffner, as well as Dacy, Elise, and Eli at Shenaniganz...
Aviation History: VC-140B 61-2490 Lockheed JetStar
The in flight photo is one of the paint schemes when the airplane was in the contract at E-Systems, Greenville, TX starting in 1973 until all VC-140Bs were retired in the late 1980s. It is now a Piece of flying history at LBJ ranch. VC-140B 61-2490 Lockheed JetStar flew in and out of Lyndon Johnson’s ranch when he was vice president and president in the 1960s. The 13-passenger plane is sometimes referred to as Air Force One...
Aviation History: The
VC-118A (Douglas DC-6) 53-3240 was built as a VIP transport and delivered to the 1254th Air Transport Wing at Washington International Airport on December 23, 1955. In July 1961 the 1254th ATW along with 53-3240 were relocated to Andrews AFB. The aircraft soon became President John F Kennedy’s favorite plane to transport him to the short landing strip at Hyannisport, Massachusetts. VC-118A 53-3240 served as the official Air Force One...
Aviation History: THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL JET AIRPLANE – VC-137B 58-6970
USAF procurement of the Boeing 707 was very limited, amounting to three Model 707-153s designated VC-137A’s serial numbers 58-6970, 58-6971 and 58-6972. When delivered in 1959 these had four 13,500 lb dry thrust Pratt & Whitney J57 (JT3C6) turbojets; when subsequently re-engined with 18,000 lbf dry thrust TF33-P-5 (JT3D) turbofans they were redesignated VC-137B. The first presidential jet plane was known as SAM (Special Air...
Wreaths at Veterans Memorial
Have you been Wondering about the beautiful wreaths on the memorials on the square? The Hopkins County Marine League placed wreaths at the Veterans Memorial and Iron Mike to commemorate those who have gave All for America’s freedom. During this holiday season, be sure to remember to thank those who have served and are currently serving their country. Also take time to remember those who paid the ultimate price for our ability to...
