Gate Guards and Static Displays

All across the United States, you will find aircraft displayed outside military base gates, VFW’s, Parks, and other various locations. Here is a sample of the aircraft I have run into during my travels around the country.

Wright-Patterson AFB Gate 12A Guards

On a visit to the Dayton, Ohio area, I rented a room at a hotel next to Gate 12A at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. As I arrived I realized there were gate guards at this entrance. An F-15A Eagle and an F-16A Fighting Falcon were arranged next to the entrance with good views of them from the hotel parking lot. Over the next couple of days I made sure to stop and get photos of these gate guards as I entered and exited the facility.

25-27Sep25

F-15A Eagle and F-16A Fighting Falcon gate guards next to Gate 12A at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio. I arrived on a rainy, overcast Thursday afternoon. If you look closely, you can see raindrops in the photo.
25Sep25 — F-15A Eagle and F-16A Fighting Falcon gate guards next to Gate 12A at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio. I arrived on a rainy, overcast Thursday afternoon. If you look closely, you can see raindrops in the photo. 25Sep25

I got up early Friday morning and on my way out of the hotel's parking lot, I took a few photos of the F-15A Eagle and F-16A Fighting Falcon gate guards next to Gate 12A at Wright-Patterson AFB.
26Sep25 — I got up early Friday morning and on my way out of the hotel's parking lot, I took a few photos of the F-15A Eagle and F-16A Fighting Falcon gate guards next to Gate 12A at Wright-Patterson AFB. 26Sep25

I arrived back at the hotel late in the evening. Got out the tri-pod for my camera and did some night photos of the F-15A Eagle and F-16A Fighting Falcon gate guards next to Gate 12A at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio.
26Sep25 — I arrived back at the hotel late in the evening. Got out the tri-pod for my camera and did some night photos of the F-15A Eagle and F-16A Fighting Falcon gate guards next to Gate 12A at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio. 26Sep25

Another early morning stop to get some more photos of the F-15A Eagle and F-16A Fighting Falcon gate guards next to Gate 12A at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio. This time I included the entrance gate so you can see where the aircraft are in relation to the gate. 27Sep25

A close up shot of the F-15A Eagle and F-16A Fighting Falcon gate guards next to Gate 12A at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio.
27Sep25 — A close up shot of the F-15A Eagle and F-16A Fighting Falcon gate guards next to Gate 12A at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio. 27Sep25

Arrived back at the hotel Saturday night and wasn't planning on shooting any more photos of the F-15A Eagle and F-16A Fighting Falcon gate guards. However, as I drove by and saw the placement of the Moon in between the aircraft, I changed my mind.
27 — Arrived back at the hotel Saturday night and wasn't planning on shooting any more photos of the F-15A Eagle and F-16A Fighting Falcon gate guards. However, as I drove by and saw the placement of the Moon in between the aircraft, I changed my mind. 27Sep25

Nighttime shot of the F-15A Eagle and F-16A Fighting Falcon gate guards next to Gate 12A at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio.
27Sep25 — Nighttime shot of the F-15A Eagle and F-16A Fighting Falcon gate guards next to Gate 12A at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio. 27Sep25

Charlotte Airport Overlook - F-4S Phantom II

A nicely restored McDonnell Douglas F-4S Phantom II is on display in one corner of the Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s new overlook.

This aircraft is on loan to CLT Airport from the U.S. Navy. A search was conducted to find a suitable Phantom for the overlook. They found an available jet at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, California. A crew was set to disassemble the jet to prepare it for transit. Once taken apart, they discovered it was in bad shape. After shipping it across the country, a restoration team rebuilt the frame because it was falling apart.

The F-4 Phantom II was painted to represent the VF-84 Jolly Rogers squadron. Their insignia features the iconic skull and crossbones. The livery honors Oceana in Virginia, the Naval Air Station closest to Charlotte that flew the Phantom jets.

The two names painted on the side of the cockpit hold special meanings. Cmdr. Glen Lenox was the last commanding officer over that unit when they flew F-4s; Lt. Junior Grade J.D. Moorhead was the radar intercept officer.

16Jul24

North Carolina Air National Guard

A North American F-86L SABRE (52-4142 / Construction Number 190-545, US AIR FORCE) on a pole sitting outside the entrance gate at North Carolina’s Air National Guard base at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Nicknamed the “Sabre Dog”, this All-Weather Jet Interceptor was an improved development of the original F-86 Sabre of Korean War fame. The addition of the black nose cone was for the installation of the radar array.

16Jul24

U.S. Navy North American T-28B Trojan

City of Milton, Florida

Driving through the city of Milton, Florida I came across this U.S. Navy North American T-28B Trojan displayed outside of Milton High School. The city of Milton is the home to NAS Whiting Field and this aircraft is placed here in honor of that Air Station.

These photos were taken in a rain shower with a hat covering the camera from the precipition. The Trojan has been sitting outside for some time as evidenced by the faded nature of the naval training squadron paint scheme.

05Nov24

U.S. Navy Beechcraft T-34C Turbo Mentor

Brewton Municipal Airport - Alabama

Driving through South Alabama I came across this U.S. Navy Beechcraft T-34C Turbo Mentor displayed on a pole at the Brewton Municipal Airport. These photos were taken through the car window due to the heavy downpour of rain outside. It would appear the Turbo Mentor may be in need of some repair to its partially detached rudder.

05Nov24

North Carolina Air National Guard Base Gate Guards

Gate Guards - Lockheed C-130B Hercules (59-0582) and North American F-86L Sabre Dog (52-4142) at night under the lights at the North Carolina Air National Guard - 145th Airlift Wing, Charlotte, NC

FYI - Don’t be surprised if Base Security comes to check on you while taking the photos…

13Nov22

Lockheed C-130B at the intersection of Morris Field Dr. and Minuteman Way.

F-86L Sabre Dog outside the entrance gate to the NC Air National Guard base.

Middlesboro Bell County Airport

A few years after the departure of the restored P-38 Glacier Girl from Middlesboro, KY, I found myself passing through the area and decided to stop by the airport for a look around. No signs of Glacier Girl having been there were visible outside. But the North American F-86H-10-NH Sabre (53-1361) and M60 Main Battle Tank that were there for all those years were still standing on guard duty.

11Oct18