U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Krystal M. Jeffers/Released
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AP) -- Members of the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base are scheduled to celebrate the dedication of a restored F-111 strike jet.
Air Force spokesman 2nd Lt. Earon Brown says Wednesday's planned ceremony honors the history of the aircraft, called the "Aardvark" because of its long and slightly upturned nose design.
It was assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing from 1970 to 1993 and was based in England at the Royal Air Force Upper Heyford installation. It flew 21 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
The jet took five months to restore and is on display in an open air park.
The jet's wings were straight for takeoffs and landings but swept toward the rear and helped it exceed twice the speed of sound.
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