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In June 2011, a crane accidentally dropped the Navy's A-4 Skyhawk while putting it back on its pylon at Alameda Point's Main Gate. People have various theories about what went wrong, but everyone close to the project would rather focus on the plane's re-restoration and return.

On Dec. 19, the fighter aircraft, on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Fla., was placed back in its original spot — a fitting celebration to conclude the 2011 Centennial of Naval Aviation.

Built in April 1957, the plane was first delivered to the Stingers Squadron (VA-113) onboard the USS Shangri-La. It took one WestPac cruise in 1958 before becoming a "training bird" for new pilots. It arrived at the Alameda Naval Air Station in 1966 and flew 2,627 hours training pilots in Alameda. In 1969, it was hoisted on the pylon for display at the base's main gate.