It was a historic day for the North Dakota Air National Guard as its last C-21 Learjet left Fargo for good.
"Well, we stand here today at the end of an era, and the beginning of a new life for the North Dakota Air National Guard," said Retired Major General Alexander Macdonald.
Macdonald began his 45 year military career in 1948. He commanded the Happy Hooligans for 13 years, and says their achievements are unmatched by any unit in the country or the world. The Hooligans boast several achievements - as well as a record of flying 60-thousand hours with no accidents. After the Base Realignment and Closure discussions were concluded in 2005, it was decided that the North Dakota Air National Guard's fighter mission would end, and the F-16s were retired. The Guard will now embark upon a new intelligence mission: continuing to operate Predator unmanned aircraft and conducting a Security Forces Mission at Minot Air Force Base. Macdonald says no other unit is more qualified for this task than the Hooligans.
"Whatever the future holds, the Hooligans will be at the top. We will not give up the traditional established over the past 66 years. We will not bow down to those who say we cannot handle a change. We can, and we will, and we will do it better than any other unit that wears this blue uniform."
Major General David Sprynczynatyk says he is optimistic that a flying mission will one day return to Fargo.
"The fact is, we will continue to seek another manned flying mission. We've got a future ahead of us, but the state of North Dakota, the people in this community, the leaders of the National Guard, will always continue to seek out new missions, and one day again, I promise you - we will have another manned flying mission here in Fargo."
Sprynczynatyk says the end of the Hooligans 66-year flying history is bittersweet.
"It's a sad day, there's no question. But it's also a proud day. It's a proud day simply because of all of the achievements and accomplishments of the service members of the airmen and airwomen. We can be proud of everything we accomplished in the past as we look to the future, and that pride will continue because there is no question that the 119th Wing, the Happy Hooligans, will continue to be the best there is in the Air National Guard, and in the Air Force of this great United States."
Following remarks, former and current members of the Happy Hooligans gathered on the tarmac to watch current Air Guard Commander Colonel Kent Olson and vice commander Brad Derrig fly the very last C-21 aircraft out of Fargo.
The aircraft will be accepted as the first C-21 plane at the National Museum of the US Air Force near Dayton, Ohio.