Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Paula Macomber | Nevada Air National Guard firemen returning from responding to an ‘engine smoke’...... read more read more
Each September, several sections from the Nevada Air National Guard assist the Reno Air Racing Association during the Reno Air Races. This assistance comes in many different ways: a static aircraft display, a recruiting tent, an air drop demonstration, fire truck support and the presentation of the colors.
This year was no different. The High Rollers came out in full-force. Each day started with a color guard team comprised of Nevada Air National Guard members presenting the colors.
The Airmen are honored to be a part of this great local event that draws crowds from around the world. Color Guard member, Tech. Sgt. Kylea Sherman of the Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Force Support Squadron said, “It’s so rewarding to be involved and to be able to represent the Nevada Air National Guard in a world-renowned event.”
Friday, they did a two-ship, low lost, low altitude pass.
Maj. Joseph Jaquish, the pilot of the plane doing the drop on Friday said, “This is where the plane comes in fairly close to the ground and opens the back door for a quick resupply without the expensive overhead of equipment and easy to configure and prepare. It’s also dropped at the lowest altitude above ground which means it doesn’t fall very far, so it drifts very little in the wind and makes for an accurate drop.”
Saturday and Sunday, the 192nd Airlift Squadron did “Mass Cargo Delivery System” drops.
192nd Airlift Squadron pilot, Capt. Reed Kobernik narrated the drops from the announcer’s booth. He said, “We call this a ‘Mass CDS’ drop, and today we are going to drop six bundles. We can do up to sixteen bundles, depending on their weight and size. This whole delivery system is designed to be very accurate, to get a variety of things from water to ammunition down to the ground to the guys who need them.”
Jaquish, who piloted the C-130s each day, added, “We were within five seconds and 50 feet of accuracy – on Saturday, winds were so strong that many races and demonstrations were forced to cancel, but the High Rollers continued their mission to completion. The Reno Air Racing Association kept us on the schedule Sunday even though they were making room for more races because of all that were canceled Saturday—it was a high honor to be able to do our job for them.”
Community involvement isn’t just being out there locally at events like these, Kobernik said, “Being in the National Guard and the military in general. For me personally, it’s a way to give back to those that have allowed me to live a life of comfort. The thing about the Air National Guard, is we serve the riflemen, lance corporal, private first class, and those in combat on the ground. We are not the tip of the spear, but we are there to support those and give them the supplies, ammunition and weapons they need to do their job and keep them as safe as possible.”
In addition, the Nevada Air National Guard firemen are almost always out helping at the Reno Air Races.
The Fire Chief, Chief Kevin Bandoni said, “As long as I have been in this unit, we’ve been involved with the Reno Air Races. It’s something we appreciate doing for the community and it’s also a fun event to attend.”
| Date Taken: | 09.17.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 10.16.2018 15:35 |
| Story ID: | 296641 |
| Location: | RENO, NV, US |
| Web Views: | 164 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, High Rollers--starring in the Reno Air Races, by SMSgt Paula Macomber, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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