2008 Annual Report - West Virginia Army National Guard - U.S. Army

West Virginia National Guard Annual Report 2008
130th unit members routinely cross-train with
local agencies in order to quickly mobilize in the
event of natural disasters or major accidents. The
wing’s security forces and fire department also
routinely work hand-in-hand with local community
emergency services. Joined with new and
emerging roles of homeland defense, community
support is becoming an ever-increasing mission
tasking.
In addition to
their emergency response
roles, the men and women
of the 130th proudly
represented themselves
throughout the community
this year. During the
year, the 130th Airlift
Wing routinely conducted
base tours. Over 40 tours
were given in 2008, with
the unit hosting over
1,850 visitors to the base.
Members of the 130th also
volunteered their time to present honor guard
duties and flag details, with many presentations
throughout the state involving the mini-C-130
aircraft. In May, the wing provided maximum
participation to the Armed
Forces Day Parade to include
a flyover in South Charleston.
Maj. Gen. Tackett was
co-Grand Marshal along with
Mr. Frank Buckles (the last
surviving U.S. World War
One veteran).
Along with regular
base tours, STARBASE curriculum
gives nearly every
Kanawha County 5th grade
student the opportunity to
attend a 5-day, 3-day or 1-day Academy at the
wing learning blocks of advanced sciences,
mathematics and flight principles. The students
finish the curriculum with a base tour. This
year over 2,100 STARBASE students toured the
wing. Students also met with flight crew members
and aircraft maintainers for questions and
answers.
In June, nearly 200 members of the Wing
volunteered to help the WV Special Olympics at
Laidley Field in Charleston. Members assisted
athletes with their events throughout the weekend
and provided assistance in tent erections, set
preparations, award presentations, transportation
of athletes, and food services.
Although many more requests for community
support are received annually than
can be supported, the wing was able to support
seven flyover requests throughout the
state this year. The wing’s mini C-130 is also
frequently requested. This program is supported
solely by wing volunteers and continually
participates in parades, festivals and
community events.
In September the wing garnered worldwide
recognition when members hosted the
World’s Strongest Man Competition. Ten
competitors participated in the event final as
each contestant attempted to pull one of the
Wing’s C-130s, weighing in at over 89,000
pounds, over a course of 25 meters. Estimates
are that 3,000-4,000 members of the general
public attended the event, which was held on the
130th TARMAC. The event ran very smoothly
with coordination
and communication
between Yeager
Airport, Kanawha
County Sheriff’s
Department and
Charleston Police
Department on
parking, security,
and crowd control.
This competition
is scheduled to be
broadcast internationally
beginning December 2008.
State Employer Support Guard & Reserve
(ESGR) officials sponsored an Employer
“Bosslift” to Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga.
While in Georgia, the large group of employers
toured the Lockheed Plant and received a briefing
from the Dobbins Wing Commander.
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