F-15 static display to be dedicated to Eglin pilot

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Beverly Isik
  • Arnold Engineering Development Center Public Affairs
Officials from Arnold Engineering Development Center  will dedicate the F-15 Eagle static display aircraft at the center's Main Gate Aug. 9 at 9 a. m., in honor of Maj. Jim Duricy.

Major Duricy was killed when he was forced to eject at high speed as the F-15 he piloted crashed into the Gulf of Mexico, April 30, 2002.

The major was assigned to the 40th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and was on a captive flight development test of a new air-to-air missile when the aircraft crashed. His body was never found.

The F-15 that will be dedicated at Arnold was assigned to the 46th Test Wing, the same wing that Major Duricy flew with. The 46th is part of the Air Force's Armament Center at Eglin. 

A flyover of F-15 Eagles from Eglin Air Force Base is scheduled as part of the ceremony.

The F-15 has been on display at Arnold since 2003.

"AEDC has a tradition of dedicating its static display aircraft as memorials to some of the heroes who have lost their lives," said 704th Maintenance Squadron Commander Navy Commander Francis Moulds, who is project officer for the F-15 dedication. "We try to make a connection between our aircraft and the people who flew them."

The guest speaker will be Brig. Gen. C.D. Moore II, commander of the 478th Aeronautical Systems Wing, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. He is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours in 30 types of aircraft. At the time of Major Duricy's death, General Moore served as the 46th Operations Group commander at Eglin.