~ journal
Things Are Jumping At Raeford AirporV
BY LAURIE TELFAIK
Raeford's airport is growing.
The city's new office building there has
just been completed and a snack ? shop
grill is under construction.
The Green Beret Sport Parachute Club,
one of three sky ? diving clubs at Ft.
Bragg, uses the airport for parachute
jumps. Members of the club usually jump
three or four days during the week as well
as on Saturday and Sunday.
The club has been using the airport for
jumps for about a year and a half now,
but with the building completed and fuel
facilities added, the airport is now home
base.
The city recently leased a portion of
the airport and the new building to SSgt.
Gene Thacker to operate the club, a
parachute school and similar operations.
Thacker, who is stationed at Ft. Bragg,
plans to retire in about a year, city
manager John Gaddy said, and will then
operate a business at the airport full time.
He has purchased land bordering the
airport and is building a home there.
The snack shop, which is owned by
Joe Williams, is partially completed.
When it is finished, outdoor tables will be
set on a patio with a view to the
skydiving area, Gaddy said.
The city recently fertilized the grass
landing strip and with the recent rain, the
grass has begin to spread more thickly
over the strip.
A fuel pump and telephone have also
been installed at the airport. Gaddy said
he hoped the city could eventually add
lights and pave the landing strip and
refueling area.
SKY RIDl: - A parachutist glides slowly earthward toward a
target spot at the Raejord airport. Members of the Green Beret
Spurt Parachute Club are using the airport for jumps several days
a week and on weekends.
PHOTOS
B Y
ROBERT DICKSON
I I - 7 l " '
CITY ADDITION ?? A new building at the airport lias been completed recently by the city and is leased to Gene Tiacker for a
sports parachute club there. This is the first major improvement the city has made at the airport since the property was acquired.
-J . V -'ilHIWH*
'CHUTE PACKING -? Members of the Green Beret Sport Parachute Club get their parachutes ready for another jump at the
Raeford airport. Part of the airport is leased to Sh'C Gene Thicker for the club and other activities.
ALL ABOARD - Sky divers get ready for take off at the airport. Members of a sport parachute club make jumps there on
weekends and frequently during the week. The city has just completed a small office building at the airport and has leased for the
sky diving activities.
TOUCHDOWN - A member of the Green Beret Sport Parachute Club cvmes in fur a landing at the target area at the Raeford
airport last week. The parachutist make frequent jumps there during the week.