Last flying pig represents historic air power to show guests Published May 27, 2014 By Tech. Sgt. Jim Brock 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- As an effect of sequestration, military static displays are only able to participate in military air shows this year. The 2014 Thunder Over the Valley Air Show here, May 17-18, featured several modern military aircraft that represent the backbone of American air power like the C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster, F-16 Fighting Falcon and several C-130s in different special mission configurations. In addition to current military aircraft, air show guests were able to see a few pieces of historic American air power in the warbirds provided by aviation museums. One such historic aircraft, a C-123 lovingly called "Thunder Pig" by her aircrew, is the only flying aircraft of her type. The C-123, flown in by the Air Heritage Museum in Chippewa, Pennsylvania, was built in 1954. But according to Crew Chief and Flight Engineer Bob Gbur, she's still the youngest member of the crew. "The C-123 was used extensively in the Vietnam War," said Gbur, "and was great for getting into and out of small dirt strips where big planes couldn't go." Gbur served as a medevac helicopter crew chief in the Army during his tour in Vietnam, and Thunder Pig Aircraft Commander, pilot Bill Schillig, also served in Vietnam flying the EC-121 and EC-47 reconnaissance aircraft. Schilligflew the C-123 in the 1970's and joined the Air Force Reserve after returning from Vietnam. "We take it to a lot of air shows during the summer and have a lot of fun with it," said Schillig. Thunder Pig was resurrected from the 'Bone Yard,' a storage site for retired Air Force aircraft, at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, in 1991. "It took us a month-and-a-half to get her flying and a year-and-a-half to restore her," said Gbur. "We fly it all over the country in honor of the Vietnam Vets, and it's now the only C-123 flying." As a piece of Air Force history flown by a former Air Force Reserve pilot, Thunder Pig is sometimes in high demand. The aircraft was featured in four major motion pictures this year alone, including the latest X-Men movie.