NYS OGS instrumental in transferring A-10 Thunderbolt II back to Long Island and the American Airpower Museum

Farmingdale, NY — New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner RoAnn M. Destito recently announced that a surplus A-10 Thunderbolt II fighter jet — nicknamed the Warthog — has been transferred to the American Airpower Museum, which is located within the former Fairchild Republic complex in Farmingdale, Long Island where the A-10 was designed and built during the height of the Cold War.

The A-10, which arrived this week and will be used as an educational display, makes the museum’s Republic aircraft collection complete and will give the public a unique opportunity to view aircraft that remain an important part of New York’s and the nation’s history. As administrator of the federal surplus program in New York State, OGS facilitated the transfer of the A-10 to the American Airpower Museum.

“The federal surplus property program is a great example of how different levels of government can work cooperatively to benefit the public,” said Commissioner Destito. “OGS has helped communities acquire everything from air compressors to ambulances through this program, but a $13 million fighter jet is a special find that will help the museum educate its visitors and honor our nation’s soldiers.”

Scott Clyman, a member of the Airpower Museum’s Board and a Major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, led the museum’s acquisition project, working closely with museum manager Larry Starr to bring the A-10 back to its home.  “After so many years the now iconic A-10 has finally returned home to where it was conceived and constructed into the world’s ultimate close air support fighter. Designed to take on Soviet tanks had the cold war gone hot, it has since proven itself in combat time and time again from Desert Storm to the valleys of Afghanistan,” Clyman said. “OGS should be congratulated for their role in ensuring this proud example of American Airpower is now able to be displayed alongside the long line of legendary fighters made by Republic Aviation right here in New York, on Long Island. We are very proud of what we have been able to do here.”

The A-10 was designed in the late 1970s to support ground forces in close proximity to enemy troops. The specific aircraft being delivered to the American Airpower Museum had an original federal acquisition price of $13 million.  It has been demilitarized by the U.S. Air Force, with all of its armaments removed and its engines rendered useless.

The American Airpower Museum is located on the former Republic manufacturing complex and has one of the most unique collections of military aircraft on the East Coast, including several that were designed or manufactured on Long Island.  It’s collection of aircraft include previous Republic designs such as the World War II P-47 Thunderbolt, the Korean-era F-84, the Vietnam War’s F-105, and now the A-10.  The museum’s P-47 regularly flies before the public and is part of its squadron of operational World War II aircraft.

OGS is responsible for administering the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) Federal Surplus Property Program, including the distribution of surplus items to eligible organizations such as municipalities, nonprofit health and educational organizations, libraries, and museums. OGS is also responsible for ensuring the recipients of surplus items remain in compliance with GSA requirements.

New York competes with other states for federal surplus items. While much of the surplus equipment OGS helps acquire is used to support the State’s Homeland Security, Emergency Management, and policing efforts, the majority of items benefit small municipalities throughout the state, with priority going to those with public safety and disaster recovery needs.

This is not the first time Long Island has benefitted from the federal surplus program.  Following Superstorm Sandy several surplus items were used in recovery efforts, including a bulldozer that was transferred to the town of East Hampton to aid in dune restoration and a truck that was acquired for the City of Long Beach.

For more information about the federal surplus property program, visit  www.ogs.ny.gov.

To find out more about the American Airpower Museum, go to  www.americanairpowermuseum.com.