NAS JRB Fort Worth Relocates Fat Albert

NAS JRB FORT WORTH, TX— On July 11, Naval Air Station (NAS) Joint Reserve Base (JRB) Fort Worth relocated Fat Albert to a more prominent location on the installation off of Highway 183.

The process of relocating Fat Albert started at 0700 requiring the use of an aircraft tug, which guided Fat Albert down the tarmac with meticulous precision. The move took three hours and was successful due to the coordinated efforts of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 (VMGR234), Marine Wing Support Squadron 473 (MWSS-473), NAS JRB Fort Worth’s Air Operations team and Public Works department.

“The decision to place Fat Albert near 183 was primarily driven by its convenient location and the fact that no dismantling was required for transportation,” said Airfield Manager Lee Robinson. “Typically moving an aircraft of this size would involve removing the wings and tail sections before transporting them to the site and reattaching them. We were able to avoid any expenses by towing Fat Albert directly to this site without the concerns of electrical high lines. We were also able to position the aircraft near a major road, allowing the local community to easily view it. This was a win/win situation.”

Units on the installation displayed their varying skill sets and

“MWSS-473 and VMGR-234 in coordination with local base entities conducted forward aviation combat engineering (FACE) to improve the existing surface for the transportation and display of Fat Albert for community viewing,” said MWSS 473 Detachment Commander of Detachment Bravo, Captain Adam Olson. “The project of constructing the taxiway took three months to plan and gave reserve personnel from California an opportunity to exercise their skills. While this project has strengthened the relationships with the host installation and has highlighted MWSS- 473’s ability to rapidly build an airfield.”

Assistant Maintenance Chief of VMGR-234, GySgt Samuel Stevens expressed his unit’s pride in contributing to the relocation of Fat Albert.

“The Marines of VMGR-234 maintenance department were honored to be a part of the movement of Fat Albert to its location as a static display on the base. This aircraft was flown by Marine Corps officers and enlisted aircrew that we have served with in various units,” said Stevens. “The Marines of VMGR-234 maintenance department inspected and serviced the aircraft to ensure it was safe to be towed. We assembled a tow team and towed the aircraft down the taxiway to its final resting place.”

The successful relocation of Fat Albert was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the following team members: Mr. Lee Robinson, AO1 Murray, Scott, AD1 Behrel, Emily, AME1 Edmonds, William, AO2 Godsey, Aaron, GySgt Stevens, Samuel, Sgt Bowie, James, Cpl Garret, Tyler, Cpl Armstrong, Jesse, Mr. Jacob Knight, Mr. Curtis Moore, Mr. Matt Kiefer, Capt Olson, Adam, GySgt Dixon, George, Sgt Guerra, Sgt Amaya, Edgar, Sgt Leos, Sgt Adams, Sgt Okal, Cpl Bolano, Cpl Cornwellsynder, Cpl Lopez, Cpl Peeters, Cpl Greenleaf, Cpl Ozzy Mirales, Cpl Romero Delarosa, Cpl Thompson, Cpl Lopez, Cpl Renville, Cpl McCabe, Cpl Boote, Cpl Groce, LCpl Osborn, LCpl Saavedra, LCpl Olson, LCpl Reetz, LCpl Philips, LCpl Rose, LCpl Bautista, LCpl Armstrong, LCpl Lennox, LCpl Hildebrand and PFC Christensen.