Weekend

A dedication ceremony to honor the memory of U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Paul N. Cohagan, and involving a restored F-100 Super Sabre jet will take place at 10 a.m. today at the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum located at Tyler Pounds Field Regional Airport, HAMM event and media coordinator Carolyn Verver said.

Anne Coleman, HAMM member and daughter of Lt. Col. Cohagan, helped fund the restoration. Beginning at 10 a.m. a color guard presentation will take place and the jet will then be escorted from its hangar to the museum.

The Super Sabre fighter was used by the Air Force from 1955 to the early 1970s and carries the distinctive swept-winged design of the Sabre series. The F-100 was the first combat aircraft to break the sound barrier in level flight, according to museum officials. Lt. Col. Cohagan flew the jet during the Vietnam War.

During the past six months, volunteers under the direction of John Mustard have worked to bring this plane back to Air Force standards. Volunteers working on the project are Jim Alexander, Bob Strong, Gary Carden and Tim Spence.

HAMM officials stress that the public is invited to the dedication and following the ceremony, everyone is invited to enjoy the museum.

(Staff Photo By Tom Turner)