PORTLAND, Ore. – The Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Fighter Wing is scheduled to unveil nose art on two F-15 fighter jets during a Cities of Honor ceremony at the Portland Air Base in Portland, Ore., June 14 at 9:00 a.m.
The Portland Air Base is located at 6801 NE Cornfoot Road. Media is invited to attend.
Pendleton, Ore., and Battle Ground, Wash., will be honored with special nose art, which depicts iconic images of each city.
The artwork has been specially created for each jet and includes the names of these cities. The images honor the relationship between local communities and the Citizen-Airmen who reside in them.
Pendleton Mayor Phillip Houk and Battle Ground Mayor Lisa Walters are scheduled to attend the ceremony, which coincides with the Oregon National Guard’s Executive Briefing.
The Oregon Air National Guard’s Cities of Honor program started in 2007 during a ceremony for the 60th Anniversary of the United States Air Force.
At the original ceremony, the cities of Beaverton, Corvallis, Gresham, Hillsboro, Hood River, Lake Oswego, Portland, Salem and Vancouver were formally recognized for their support of Oregon’s Citizen-Airmen.
Historically, nose art was used to personalize combat aircraft and boost unit morale. World War II was an era where artwork was in high demand, and extravagant creations highlighted unit pride and cohesion.
Today, the Air Force allows specialized artwork for fighter aircraft that is distinctive and symbolic to enhance unit morale.
The event will also highlight the mission of other units who call the 142nd Fighter Wing home.
News Release from: Oregon Military Department