JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J.- -- Members of the Navy Lakehurst Historical Society unveiled a newly restored LTV A-7 Corsair II at Hangar 1 on the Lakehurst-side of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Oct. 31.
The newest addition to the static displays on the Lakehurst-side is a project that volunteers from across the joint base spent eight months refurbishing in an effort to remember and honor previous generations of naval aviation.
“It relates to the navy history,” said Carl Jablonski, Navy Lakehurst Historical Society president. “This plane flew in the Vietnam-era doing combat missions, and it is keeping history alive by showing people what [naval aviation was].”
As the aircraft was towed out of the hangar for the first time since the project began, attendees were able to admire the volunteer’s work; fresh paint, graphics, lettering and a full cleaning from the outdoor elements.
“It’s been repainted and restored to represent an A-7 Corsair from the late 1980’s VA-174, which was the east coast fleet replacement squadron for A-7’s at the time,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Christopher Bergen, Joint Base MDL deputy commander and Navy Support Activity Lakehurst commanding officer.
Following the reveal, the newest static display was planted in its permanent home at the Lakehurst Air Park, where it will be shown in future historical society tours.
“It’s a big victory that we are recognized for what we do,” said Jablonski. “It means a lot that we are able to do it with volunteers that are doing it to preserve history of Joint Base MDL.”