Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Mass -- BARNES ANGB, Westfield, MA.- A small crowd at Barnes Air National Guard Base held its breath as the giant yellow arm of the crane began to work. On May 19, 2026, with a beautiful sky and strong sun, the A-10 Thunderbolt II was about to do something it hadn't done in nearly three decades, fly.
There was no roar of engines, no smell of burning JP-8 fuel, and no smoke. Instead, there was only the low hum of diesel hydraulics and the quiet clanking of heavy steel chains. Very slowly, almost gracefully, the green A-10 Thunderbolt II was lifted from the concrete pedestal that had held since 25 September 1997. As the "Warthog" suspended in mid-air, she held the secret of a double soul, representing two distinct stories of survival, tragedy, and ultimate honor.
U.S Air Force Retired Chief Master Sgt. Rob Roy was a crew chief when the aircraft arrived and remembered her story.
“A-10 jet number 79-0100, also known as “Georgia Girl”, and a veteran of Desert Storm,” said Roy. “She came to Barnes from the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW), Myrtle Beach AFB, SC on March 12,1992 after its base was closed by BRAC”.
After years of hard combat, this aircraft was retired from service due to a fatigued wing structure and became a battle damage repair training aircraft. The unit couldn't let a combat veteran end that way. In 1997, the decision was made to restore her exterior, to make her beautiful once more, and to give her a final, sacred mission.
She was to be placed on a pedestal and would no longer be "Georgia Girl." She was destined to carry a heavier, more sacred legacy. Placing her in a permanent location also meant giving her a new name that honored a local fallen hero.
On September 17, 1986 an unexpected disaster struck during a training mission. Two A-10s collided in the skies over Wells, New York. Major John Southrey, a pilot of the 104th Tactical Fighter Group, did not survive the crash and his aircraft, tail number 78-0648, was lost.
When the unit restored the retired 79-0100 in 1997, they decided she would fly no more under her own name. They painted her with Major Southrey's tail number,78-0648, and stenciled his name proudly beneath the canopy.
On September 25, 1997, a crane from Westover AFB hoisted her onto her perch. For twenty-nine years, she stood guard over the base, keeping Major Southrey’s memory alive. Birds nested in her intake, families took photos beneath her wings, and new generations of pilots passed as they entered the base.
U.S Air Force Master Sgt. Adam Dempsey, 104th Fighter WingTAMS Superintendent, worked on the project to help the old Warthog fly again. “Following the completion of the new main gate, Wing Leadership decided to relocate base static displays to improve visibility,” said Dempsey
“Field of Dreams”, a nickname for that area of land by the 104th FW Chiefs Council, looked perfect for a walking park and also a place to consolidate the base's historic aircraft.
With this new plan it meant the old Warthog had to move.
“Georgia Girl’s” two identities remained only memories until May 19,2026 when she “flew” again and was lifted by a crane from Central Mass Crane service, Inc. Several attempts to lift her off the pedestal almost looked as if she did not want to move. She wobbled and waved and eventually was lifted again, flying temporarily, and placed on the ground, just inside the old main gate. She was not making this move easy.
Later, a time capsule that was placed inside the jet was opened at a ceremony. When the capsule was opened, a key was found labeled 79-100 in a bag with an old Airscoop newsletter. The front page of the newsletter told the story of Southreys death. The key was the physical link to "Georgia Girl", the silent warrior who had sacrificed her identity so that a fallen brother would never be forgotten.
As for now, A-10 jet number 79-100 and 78-0648 does not plan to fly again. Its journey to a new home has taken her on quite an adventure. Starting with a crane and then being towed to its location in the field of dreams. A time capsule will later be placed that will continue to hold the truth about the two stories and how an old warbird can fly after being broken.