Air National Guard to conduct flyovers in Detroit, Harrison Township
The Michigan Air National Guard will conduct flyovers of nine Michigan communities Tuesday, including Detroit, Lansing, Port Huron and Battle Creek, as part of the United States Air Force's celebration of 100 years of aerial refueling.
“Our Citizen-Airmen are proud to serve as Michigan’s Hometown Air Force. The support we receive from our community is second to none and this series of flyovers provides us an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to our neighbors, while also demonstrating an important part of the Air Force mission,” Brig. Gen. Rolf Mammen, 127th Wing commander, said in a release. “It also serves as a showcase of opportunities that exist in the Michigan Air National Guard for those interested in joining our ranks in service to state and nation.”
KC-135 Stratotankers will fly in formation with A-10 Thunderbolt IIs over the following locations Tuesday:
Blue Water Bridge, Port Huron, approximately 10:20 a.m.
Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center and downtown Alpena, approximately 10:40 a.m.
Mackinac Bridge and Mackinaw City, approximately 10:50 a.m.
Sleeping Bear Dunes area near Maple City, approximately 11:15 a.m.
Downtown Grand Rapids, approximately 11:45 a.m.
Battle Creek Air National Guard Base and Battle Creek, approximately 11:55 a.m.
The Michigan State Capitol and downtown Lansing, approximately 12:05 p.m.
The Detroit River in Detroit, approximately 12:30 p.m.
Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, approximately 12:35 p.m.
The Michigan KC-135s and A-10s are both based at Selfridge Air National Guard Base and operated by Airmen from the 127th Wing, which is made up of roughly 1,700 military and civilian personnel. Air Force refueling aircraft will be flying similar flyovers around the country to mark the centennial.
U.S. Air Force air refueling capabilities today deliver unrivaled rapid global reach for U.S. forces, allies and partners through the mobility air forces fleet of KC-46, KC-135 and KC-10 tankers.
Aerial refueling serves as a force multiplier, increasing the effectiveness of combat aircraft. Tankers also carry cargo and passengers, perform aeromedical evacuations, and enable strategic deterrence for the United States.
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U.S. Army Air Service aviators accomplished the first aerial refueling on June 27, 1923. On that day, 1st Lt. Virgil Hine and 1st Lt. Frank W. Seifert, flying a DH-4B, successfully passed gasoline through a hose to another DH-4B flying beneath it carrying Capt. Lowell H. Smith and 1st Lt. John P. Richter on a flight between Los Angeles and San Diego, California.
The 127th Wing’s 171st Air Refueling Squadron, which will be flying the KC-135s during Tuesday's demonstration, conducted its first air refueling flight in September 2007, when it first became equipped with KC135T Stratotanker aircraft.
Over the last several years, KC-135 aircraft and personnel from Selfridge have supported missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Europe and the Pacific region. The A-10s flying in Tuesday's demonstration are from the 107th Fighter Squadron.
“Our KC-135 crews, maintainers and support personnel have served all over the world, bringing a little bit of Michigan with them wherever they go,” said Mammen, also a KC-135 pilot at Selfridge. “Our Airmen are excited about this opportunity to share a part of their mission with their friends and neighbors.”
Residents are encouraged to share pictures of Tuesday's flyovers to the 127th Wing’s Facebook page (facebook.com/127thWing) or on the unit’s Instagram page (@127Wing) with the tag SANGBTanker100. Of those that share photos, 10 people will be randomly selected to receive a unit patch.
Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Air National Guard to conduct flyovers in Detroit, Harrison Township
