In a rare and visually striking operation, a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter transported a retired U.S. Air Force A-7D Corsair II attack aircraft by air across the Missouri River this week.
The tactical close air support aircraft, which once served with the 185th Tactical Fighter Group in Sioux City, Iowa, was relocated to its new home at Siouxland Freedom Park in South Sioux City, Nebraska.
According to the Iowa National Guard, the heavy-lift helicopter from Bravo Company 1/171 Aviation Regiment, based in Davenport, Iowa, conducted the sling load mission. The move brings the Vietnam-era aircraft back into public view as part of an outdoor display dedicated to preserving military history.
The A-7D had been stationed at Martin Airfield along Highway 20 before its relocation. Originally designed by Ling-Temco-Vought for Navy use, the Air Force’s variant included modifications such as a refueling receptacle for boom-based aerial refueling with KC-135 tankers. Its foldable wings remain a clear design legacy of its carrier-based roots.
The aircraft had a prominent role in the 185th’s history. Assigned to the Iowa Air National Guard from 1977 to 1991, the Corsair was a staple in close air support missions during and after the Vietnam War. When the unit transitioned to F-16s in the early 1990s, several A-7s were preserved for static display. The Corsair moved this week had remained at its previous location for decades.
In a statement, the Iowa National Guard said the move was part of a broader effort with local volunteers to restore and preserve the aircraft for display at Siouxland Freedom Park. The 55-acre park also houses a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall and serves as a regional hub for military remembrance.
Historians note that the A-7D’s long service life was aided by its advanced avionics and rugged performance. Air National Guard units across ten states and Puerto Rico operated the Corsair before its final retirement in the early 1990s. The Iowa ANG’s Des Moines-based 132nd Wing was among the last to send its aircraft to storage at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) in 1993.
The 185th Tactical Fighter Group earned multiple honors during its time with the Corsair, including recognition for its maintenance crews and as top close air support unit in 1990, as awarded by the Spaatz Trophy.
CORRECTION: Story corrected to note that the A-7D Corsair II is a tactical close air support aircraft.