Photo By Brian Lamar | Maj. Charles Dobson checks out a restored AT-6 Texan during the Military and Civilian...... read more read more
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KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 403rd Wing Safety Office partnered with local civil aviation agencies Friday at Stennis International Airport for the second annual Military and General Aviation Safety Day.
More than 130 participants flew in to the airport in 30 different types of aircraft. Several safety briefings were given to the aviators. One of the main topics of the day was mid-air collision avoidance.
"We came together today to learn as much as we could about how civilian aviators are operating in the local airspace," said Lt. Col. Jeff Ragusa, Chief of Safety for the 403rd Wing.
Another major function of the safety day is professional networking among aviators who use the airspace along the coast between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, and as far north as Jackson, Mississippi.
"All aviators who use the airspace in this area and would possibly interact with each other in the air were invited to attend. We can use this day as an opportunity to learn how they use the airspace and increase our knowledge of how to stay out of their way, and they can also learn a little about how we conduct ourselves in the air and stay out of our
way too," said Ragusa.
Both military and civilian aircraft were open for viewing by all participants.
"This is a large group of professional aviators here that have so much experience to share with each other. It is nice to talk with them and learn from their experiences and have a chance to share mine," said Fred Morkray, a retired aviator with Airborne Express.
Military organizations participated with aircraft from Mobile, New Orleans, Columbus and Biloxi, Mississippi, and Pensacola, Florida. A pilot from each military organization gave an orientation briefing specific to their area.
"It is important to hear these safety briefings since I fly the same airspace with them," said Larry Loeding, an Air Force retiree with the 403rd Wing who flew in for the safety day.
"It is very nice to see all of these military aircraft. The F-15 is a sight," said Morkray.
Participants of the safety day were also given the opportunity to take a tour of the Stennis Air Control Tower.
Ragusa is already looking forward to next year. Plans are in the works for the third annual fly-in and Ragusa hopes to move the location to Gulfport.
| Date Taken: | 05.19.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 01.10.2017 14:17 |
| Story ID: | 219910 |
| Location: | KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MS, US |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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