F-101 Voodoo jets retired from public display

Even after two F-101 Voodoo jets are removed from their display perches at the city marina and Gulf Coast State College, the legacy of U.S. Air Force pilots who flew those planes will never be forgotten, Panama City Mayor Greg Brudnicki said Wednesday.

Brudnicki told the small gathering in front of Vail’s Voodoo jet numbered 90478 that the community would not forget the commitment of the two pilots, Carleton “Sonny” Vail and Rick Seltzer, and the men and women who served in the military over the years.

“During our ceremony today there will be three flags that will be presented — one to the family of Sonny Vail, who used to fly this jet,” said Brudnicki, as he pointed to the Voodoo jet mounted just behind him at the city marina. “The second will be presented to my close friend Cindy Seltzer, honoring her late husband Rick Seltzer, (whose) jet is now at Gulf Coast State College. The third flag will be presented to the city of Panama City marking this special occasion.”

Vail’s daughter Carla Gregory spoke to the gathering just southeast of City Hall.

“He never failed to mention that his nickname was ‘End Trail Vail’ due to his place in the formation,” said Gregory, standing in front of her father’s plane. “We thought that was a pretty colorful moniker and it fit him to a ‘T’ in his everyday life also. Whether we were walking at a theme park or at the mall, dad was always taking up the rear. And, as he got older and his pace slowed, we’d swear people thought he was an undercover security guard.”

A chorus of laughs came up from the crowd.

Gregory said Seltzer and her father flew together at Tyndall Air Force Base.

“It was comforting to know that,” Gregory said.

Seltzer’s widow, Cindy, told the crowd Seltzer believed in community, family and service to others.

“If there is one thing I have learned in life [it] is that it is hard to say goodbye,” Seltzer told the crowd.

She wiped away a tear after the close of the ceremony.

Since the jets are still federal property, they will be disassembled and taken by the U.S. Air Force to a temporary storage location. The jets are being moved to make way for redevelopment and because of the cost of ongoing maintenance.

The F-101 Voodoos were designed as long-range, twinjet fighters to escort bombers, attack distant targets and provide close support for ground troops, according to Boeing.com. McDonnell delivered 807 F-101 Voodoos to the Air Force. The last Voodoo was retired by the Air Force in 1986, Boeing noted.


Source: By Randal Yakey, Panama City, Fla., The News Herald - 25 April 2013

Photo: The U.S. Air Force F-101 Voodoo jet is dismantled this month and removed from his display perch at the city marina. It’s final resting place be the Gulf of Mexico. (Photo by Andrew Wardlow | News Herald file photo)


(25.04.2013)