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About Us Calling All Aviation Enthusiasts! Message from the President | Board of Directors A new Aviation Heritage Park at the Bowling Green / Warren County Regional Airport is set to open in a ceremony Fall 2006 instigated by the arrival of a special, retired airplane. Phantom 550, an F4-D Phantom II flown by Bowling Green native Dan Cherry, retired Brigadier General of the United States Air Force, shot down a North Korean MIG-21 fighter in a combat mission during the Vietnam War in 1972. He flew 295 missions, and also commanded the Air Force Thunderbirds. During a visit to the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, General Cherry learned the jet was grounded and on display at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) hall in Enon, Ohio and went to observe. After speaking to and arranging with the local VFW, the plane was disassembled to prepare for the journey to Bowling Green where it will help honor local military aviators. Along with General Cherry, several more of America's finest aviators from this area will be honored. Bert Hall, one of America's first combat aviators; Victor Strahm, Kentucky's first WWI Flying Ace; Johnny Magda, commander of the Navy Blue Angels; and Ken Fleener, a retired Brigadier General. The park is an ongoing project. Eventually the Aviation Heritage Park will host several different airplanes. The park intends to design and construct a landscaped area that will accommodate up to six planes. They also intend to paint Phantom 550 its original green and brown Vietnam Era colors to showcase the plane instead opf the current gray color it is. Click on "Site Plans" to see what's in store for the park. Visit "How to Help" for information on what you can do to volunteer or donate funds.
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