The DC-8 was the first and largest flying science laboratory for 37 years. | Logan Ramsey, EastIdahoNews.com

POCATELLO — The engines of a historic research jet roared as it flew low toward its new home.

On Wednesday, this DC-8 jet, which belonged to NASA and served as the first and largest flying science laboratory for 37 years, landed at the ISU Aircraft Maintenance Technology Program Hangar. Now, ISU students will get the opportunity to prepare for their field by training on this aircraft.

“This aircraft has served as a premier flying science lab, contributing to groundbreaking research, and now it embarks on a new journey here at Idaho State University that will significantly impact our students and their futures,” said ISU President Robert Wagner.

While many people think of rockets when they think of NASA, the organization’s research extends below the stars. For nearly four decades, the DC-8 assisted scientists in their research by gathering useful data.

“I’ve been part of missions where we do air-quality research, so we’re flying low over big cities like New York and Chicago to get air quality data,” said Kirsten Boogaard, the DC-8 deputy project manager of four years, in an interview with EastIdahoNews.com.

NASA also runs the Student Airborne Research Program, where students would come onboard the DC-8 and learn how to conduct scientific research.

“We always have grad students that are doing research real-time for their papers, their dissertations, real-time work on the aircraft,” Boogaard said.

Taylor McWane, product support manager at the Logistics Management Division Headquarters of NASA, said that it was a difficult decision to twilight the aircraft that had served NASA for so long.

“You have to analyze the budget and make the determination of, ‘Does NASA have the resources to keep this older platform up and running for the next several years?’ And oftentimes, you have to make that difficult call and say no,” McWane said.

So how did this research plane ended up in the hands of an Idaho university?

Receiving this donation, the largest ever made from the federal government to the state, was spearheaded Ed Foster, a clinical instructor and coordinator with the College of Technology.

“His hard work and commitment have been instrumental in making this day possible, and we are incredibly grateful for his efforts,” Wagner said.

Wagner also offered thanks to Alan Evans — an ISU alumnus and the Pocatello Regional Airport manager — as well as the airport’s whole staff.

Dean Jerry Anhorn of the College of Technology first became familiar with the prospect of receiving the jet when he got an email from Foster.

“Hey, suppose we could get this jet?” Anhorn said that the email read. “And it’s sitting here today.”

But Foster’s work began many months before that, when he found out that Idaho was selected by the federal government to receive the jet. To do this, Foster and Evans had to coordinate to make sure they would have the space to hold it.

ISU was the only entity in Idaho to apply to receive the donation, Foster said, so if they hadn’t been able to take it, the DC-8 would’ve gone to a different state.

Anhorn said that the College of Technology prides itself on a hands-on approach to education, so receiving this aircraft was a pivotal moment.

“This is more than just a learning enhancement. It is the preparation for real-world challenges. The DC-8 will serve as an integral part of our curriculum, where students will conduct actual maintenance and repair tasks,” Anhorn said.

Foster is excited that his students will have the opportunity to train on the DC-8.

“It’s actually rare for programs like ours across the country to have one because most people still want to use these aircraft, so we’re very fortunate and excited about that,” Foster said.

Boogaard said that throughout its use, the DC-8 has benefited education, and she’s happy to see it continue to serve students.

“Now it (will) continue that for future generations on the aircraft maintenance side, and I think that that’s really a beautiful thing,” Boogaard told EastIdahoNews.com.

Every two years one hears the next election will be one of the most important ever. The truth is every election is important because it determines the laws we live under, how we are taxed, and the kind of society we live in.

But it’s not an overstatement to say that next Tuesday’s primary election may be the most important election in recent memory. I say that after following Idaho politics for the past five decades, first as a journalist and now as an advocate for education.

With so much at stake, this election will decide whether we remain stuck in the quagmire of far-right extremism or reverse course to a politics focused more on improving the quality of life for all Idahoans, especially our youngest ones.

In significant ways, this election is unique given the warring factions in the Republican Party – the far-right personified by Chair Dorothy Moon and the self-proclaimed Idaho Freedom Foundation versus the “Main Street Republicans” who represent traditional conservative GOP values like fiscal responsibility, equal opportunity, and public education.

It is also unique by the historic amount of money pouring into our state from billionaires and their front organizations. The Dallas-based American Federation for Children (AFC) has invested $440,000 in the election. The Ohio-based Citizens Alliance has dropped another $390,000. And these are but two of the out-of-state operators influencing our primary election.

Just read what one “strategist” for AFC told Idaho Education News about his group’s plans: “If you’re a candidate or lawmaker who opposes school choice – you’re a target.”

Groups like the AFC want to defeat the Main Street Republicans and elect far-right legislators who will use our tax dollars to subsidize private school tuition and continue the culture wars against our librarians, educators, certain youth, and anyone else they don’t like. They cynically champion freedom in their propaganda, but elect politicians who lay siege to our public schools and vote to control our personal lives more and more.

The power behind these out-of-state billionaires and their front organizations is the limitless amount of money they can spend to elect their acolyte legislators. Their front organizations leave the impression that they are Idaho-based and supported by grass-root Idahoans. Don’t be fooled. They are not. Only their bank accounts make them 900-pound political guerilla fighters.

If you receive mail or follow social media, you have seen how ugly the attack ads are by these out-of-state organizations against our finest legislators who are committed to improving the lives of Idahoans rather than imposing their radical ideology on the rest of us.

The best antidote to these out-of-state extremists and their politics of personal destruction is to judge whether their attacks pass the smell test – do the charges ring true, are they based on facts, and are they using fear to manipulate us? Then decide who you trust most – an out-of-state dark money organization that is here today, gone tomorrow or a candidate you know from your church, school, business, or Rotary Club.

This election can be a turning point. It can be a move away from extremism and back to fundamental Idaho conservative values that have served our citizens well. The future is in our hands on Tuesday – not the hands of out-of-state billionaires who don’t really care about our state. Let’s show them what Idahoans are made of.

Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane is reminding voters to send in their absentee ballots for the May 21 primaries by May 15.

These ballots must be returned to the County Clerk Elections Office by May 21 to be counted on election day, so voters are being asked to submit them by the end of the day on May 15 to ensure they reach the office in time.

46.5% of the distributed ballots have made their way back to the clerk’s office so far. Completed ballots must be returned to the offices by mail, in person, or via an official ballot drop box by 8 pm on election day.

Other important upcoming dates for the May 21 elections are:

• Early Voting: Now through Friday, May 17 at 5 pm
• Election Day: Tuesday May 21, from 8 am to 8 pm
• Absentee Ballots Due: Tuesday, May 21 at 8 pm

The races in the May 21 primary include the races for United States Representative, State Senate, State House of Representatives, County Commissioner, County Sheriff, County Prosecuting Attorney, Judges, and other local races and measures.
More information about the May 21 primaries is available to view at VoteIdaho.gov.