MACE restored at museum thanks to 46th MXS

  • Published
  • By Chrissy Cuttita
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Almost anything our nation once used to blow something up for national defense and now displayed at the Air Force Air Armament Museum is maintained by the 46th Maintenance Squadron, who proudly steps up to restore it.

"Current munitions we sponsor are the TM-76B MACE, the BOMARK Missile Launcher, the "HOUND DOG" missile, and the miscellaneous bombs and missiles that are on display outside the museum," said Master Sgt. Craig Sargent, 46th MXS Assistant Maintenance Superintendant. "The museum provides all materials to complete the project. All we have to do is provide the personnel and desire to complete the project. That's what it boils down to; a sense of pride in ourselves, our units, the Air Force and our heritage." 

Their recent volunteer project on the MACE translauncher completed Oct. 3 proves, once again, any display with their wing's name on it will continue to be taken care of. 

"We are so undermanned that if we didn't have the Adopt a Plane program our museum would shut down and we don't want that," said George Jones, Air Force Air Armament Museum Director. "(Surrounding bases') leadership and community involvement make the restoration program a success. It is important for folks to have a tie into their nation's heritage." 

Before the 46th MXS worked their magic, the MACE translauncher was described as an "eyesore." It was extremely corroded and required a lot of restoration to include 16 years of rest that collected since its last paint job. 

"It was by far one of the worst-looking displays which is unfortunate as there are only a handful of these items left," said Sergeant Sargent. "The translauncher itself is quite rare." 

This was not the face of the Air Force the museum director wanted visitors to see. What they want to see are the comments Sergeant Sargent received, after the project was completed, about the museum being one of the most well kept in the nation. 

"Normally a wing chooses to sponsor a particular aircraft (normally one that was previously assigned to their wing or has some significant historical value to that wing)," Sergeant Sargent said. "Since, AMMO doesn't particularly have an "aircraft" unique to us, we sponsor the munitions." 

The week-long project started with priming and painting the 40-foot tractor trailer launcher base the 18,750 pound missile is perched on. At the end of the month, they will work on the missile itself, something the sergeant said is of particular interest because he owns a model of the MACE that is identical to the one in the museum, even the decal for the tail number is a perfect match. 

"It is totally amazing how the launcher looks now based on last week's restoration efforts accomplished by you and your AMMO professionals versus what it looked like beforehand," Mr. Jones to the 46th MXS in an email. "You all did a fantastic job and probably the finest restoration effort to date involving the Adopt-a-Plane Program. There are fewer than a handful of these launchers on display throughout the U.S.; and through your dedicated efforts, children for many generations will be able to marvel at its heritage."