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Legend of Laughlin: Link to the past

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jimmie D. Pike
  • 47th Flying Training Wing
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Along Del Rio's historic Main Street in a community that supports Laughlin with its entire heart and soul, stands a building where pieces of the base's past are held.

The Laughlin Heritage Foundation, housed at 309 S. Main St., Del Rio, Texas, tells the story of Laughlin Air Force Base throughout the years since the base's founding in 1943. The foundation is open free of charge, from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

"Our mission here is to foster and perpetuate the foundation as a medium of informing and educating the public on the important role of air power in sustaining the national security of the United States," said Jim Long, Laughlin Heritage Foundation chairman of the board. "And to acquire property, real or personal, which is of historical significance; and to do all other things which will further the preservation of Laughlin's heritage."

Long has been collecting relics from Laughlin's past since he was in high school to display and record the history that is Laughlin.

"I started collecting what I could because I knew these pieces were important to preserve Laughlin's heritage," said Long. "Too much was, and still is, being tossed out because the Air Force just can't hold on to everything."

Visitors that come to the Laughlin Heritage Foundation can see: manuals from U-2 Dragon Lady aircrafts, an S-100 High Altitude Flying outfit, U-2C Dragon Lady camera hatch, and many more pieces from Laughlin's past.

Two manuals for the U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft can be seen on display read at the foundation. The U-2A manual has been recently approved for release in January, 2012, while the U-2C manual has been on display over previous years.

A camera hatch for the U-2C Dragon Lady is one of the rarer gems obtained by the foundation. The hatch is opened and dropped to chest level allowing visitors to see how the optical lens were spaced allowing for camera angling on reconnaissance flights.

Housed in a hand-built display case, is the foundations S-100 High Altitude Flying outfit with Maj. Jerry Hoyt's helmet. Hoyt was a U-2 test pilot and set the record for "Time to Climb" in class U-2C in 1989.

Long encourages young pilots to check out the exhibit and learn about Laughlin's history and the pilots that have flown here throughout the years.

"It's important to learn the history about those who were stationed at Laughlin in the past to give meaning to what they do," said Long. "Here you will see history not on display anywhere else, with stories that should not be forgotten."

For more information, contact the Laughlin Heritage Foundation at 800-719-9380.