The F-111D aircraft 68-0140 was the 56th of 96 F-111D models produced by General Dynamics Corp. in Fort Worth, Texas, and the 67th D model delivered to the U.S. Air Force on 29 November, 1972. It spent its entire operational service life in New Mexico with the 27th Fighter Wing at Cannon AFB. The F-111 Aardvark introduced several aviation firsts, including variable geometry wings, an ejectable crew module, automatic terrain-following radar, and afterburning turbofan engines. A total of 562 F-111s were manufactured from 1964 through 1976 and served with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force. This place is dedicated to F-111 aircrews who gave their lives in defense of their nation's freedom.