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Tactical flyaway provides packed training week

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Noah J. Tancer
  • 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The 757th Airlift Squadron flew three C-130H Hercules aircraft down to Jacksonville, Florida, Jan. 22-27, for Youngstown Air Reserve Station’s 2019 Tactical Flyaway.

Every year, aircrews from the 910th Operations Group, who do the majority of their training locally, leave YARS for a week of tactical training that can be impeded by Ohio’s sporadic winter weather conditions.

Capt. Nick Bargiband, a pilot with the 757th Airlift Squadron, led the mission.

"We have a very high attrition rate, meaning we cancel a lot of sorties due to weather (at Youngstown Air Reserve Station) during the months of January and February," said Bargiband. 

Aircrew members are required to stay current and qualified on aerial cargo drops, dirt landings, paratrooper drops, flying at night using night vision goggles and many other facets of the 910th Airlift Wing’s mission.

"We decided this year to take three to four aircraft down to Jacksonville where it's nice and sunny and go and execute our (tactical) mission," said Bargiband.

The 76th Aerial Port Squadron “Port Dawgs” and the 910th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron supported the 910th OG during the flyaway. Maxwell Air Force Base also sent a C-130 and aircrew to participate.

Training in varied locations helps prepare Reserve Citizen Airmen for real-world scenarios that will send them all across the globe during their career.

A well-acknowledged secondary effect of the annual flyaway is team-building through camaraderie and morale. The long exposure and close proximity to each other during the flyaway help develop esprit de corps.