Group to dedicate aviation memorial

NEWRY – This Saturday the Maine Aviation Historical Society will dedicate a new memorial to a USAF Strategic Air Command crew who died in the crash of their KC-97G air refueling tanker on June 27, 1960.

The crash occurred on a mountain known locally as Jonathan Smith Mountain in the town of Newry.

Those who want to attend are asked to meet at 10 a.m. at the Quonset hut at the Bethel Airport. A short oral history of the accident will be given and then participants will be convoyed to Newry for a hike of about a half-mile to the site.

A dedication ceremony will be followed by a walking tour of the wreckage.

This project, made possible by the landowner’s cooperation, is part of a continuing effort by MAHS to preserve Maine’s aviation heritage. A small group within MAHS has been working to document military aircraft losses in Maine and to preserve sites, where possible, so future generations may understand the significance and human cost of WWII and Cold War era military operations in Maine.

MAHS’ most visible project is the fund-raising effort to open the Maine Air Museum at the Bangor International Airport. For more information call 746-5166.