Wings Over Whiteman Air Show gives Guard a chance to show off presence

By Pfc. Antony S. Lee
Missouri National Guard

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - Missouri Army and Air National Guard units had an important role in putting together a successful "Wings Over Whiteman" air show and open house at Whiteman Air Force Base on Sept. 18 and 19.

The Missouri Air National Guard's 131st Bomb Wing serves as a classic associate unit with the active duty 509th Bomb Wing. Maj. Geoff Billingsley, a B-2 instructor pilot with the 131st Bomb Wing, said the air show was a great way to raise awareness of the Guard's presence as a classic association unit with the active duty 509th Bomb Wing.

"A lot of people don't know that pilots from the Air National Guard get to fly the B-2 aircraft," said Billingsley. "The air show was a great opportunity to spread the word about the important job we have, especially because it was the only air show in the area over the summer."

The Missouri Army National Guard, which also has a robust presence on Whiteman, had a crucial role in the air show.

Capt. Paul Howerton, the commander of Company D of the 1st Battalion, 135th Aviation, an Army National Guard unit based at Whiteman Air Force Base, had a key role supporting one of the show's main attractions. Howerton served as the point of contact and escort for the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute demonstration team.

"The process of getting the Golden Knights to come to the air show started in January," said Howerton. "It included downloading their support manual, working through contacts, coordinating with the Air Force, and meeting representatives from the Golden Knights."

Sgt. Scott Brooks, a crew chief from Company C of the 1st Battalion, 135th Aviation, helped display the AH-64 Apache at the air show.

"It's important to have our aircraft exposed to the public," said Brooks. "It helps in our recruiting and it makes it transparent to the public what we actually do out here. The AH-64 is highly utilized to support ground troops."

Other Soldiers and Airmen in the Missouri National Guard took advantage of the opportunity to show the public what the National Guard is all about. Sgt. 1st Class Gary Courtney, a recruiter with the 27th Recruiting and Retention Battalion from the Warrensburg area, worked with other recruiters to share the story of the Missouri National Guard by answering questions from curious civilians.

"People are excited about their military," said Courtney. "Some people want to know specifically about the National Guard story."

Courtney said Air Force support for the Army National Guard has been "awesome" and that the Air Show was a great opportunity to reach out to the public.

"The air show was a great opportunity to display what we do and share our experience with the community."

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.

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