122nd Celebrates Their Heritage

Rendered picture of the planned Baer Field Heritage Park.

By Maureen Mespell and Megan Trent
Indiana's NewsCenter
July 21, 2011

UPDATE: FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Indiana's NewsCenter) - Construction has officially begun on Baer Field Heritage Park.

Elected officials joined past and present members of the military in picking up shovels during the ground breaking ceremony at the 122nd Fighter Wing Thursday.

When completed late this fall, the park will be open to the community and showcase aircraft flown out of the 122nd from 1947 to present day.

Adjutant General for the Indiana Army and Air National Guard, Major General Marty Umbarger, says, "This fighter wing is renowned throughout in the Air National Guard of the Nation for it's many deployments. So, today we broke ground on Heritage so that we can show every one of the aircraft over the years, from World War II to modern times, that's been flown here."

State Senator Tom Wyss was once a member of the 122nd Fighter Wing when he was in the Air Guard. He says, "This is pretty exciting for me, because it represents a long period of time and thousands of people who have been out here. I think this will be a way to honor them in the future, and I'm very proud that I was once a member out here."

Associated video:



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Groundbreaking for Air Guard's Baer Field Heritage Park project, Fort Wayne, Ind.

posted on July 22, 2011 10:12 AM
Story by Sgt. John Crosby, Indiana National Guard

July 21, 2011

Indiana National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger and Air Guard 122nd Fighter Wing Commander Col. David Augustine broke ground Thursday, July 21, 2011, on their planned Baer Field Heritage Park in Fort Wayne, Ind. The park will be in the area currently a parking lot in front of the 122nd Fighter Wing base and will provide a way to honor the past and provide access of the base's history to residents.

In addition to the ground breaking, the Indiana State Armory Board donated a $4,000 check to help build the memorial park.

The park will include a variety of military aircraft, including the currently displayed F-100, F-4, F-84 and F-16. He said the base is working to secure a few more planes as well as a decommissioned Humvee.

In a national emergency, the 122nd Fighter Wing may be ordered to active duty by the president of the United States. The primary federal mission of the 122nd Fighter Wing is to provide combat ready A-10C aircraft, combat support units, and personnel for active duty in support of war and contingency operations.

The 122nd FW is available on orders from the Governor of Indiana to assist local authorities in the event of a disaster, disturbance or other emergency. The units of the 122nd FW are capable of supporting rescue and relief operations, aiding in recovery from natural disaster, along with protecting the citizens of Indiana and their property.