Youngstown's 910th dazzles 13 Ohio communities with Memorial Day flyovers

A C-130H Hercules aircraft, assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing at nearby Youngstown Air Reserve Station flies over the Veteran’s Memorial on the Triangle in Cortland

People attending Memorial Day observances in four Valley communities weren’t the only Ohioans to be dazzled by the sight and the sound of a huge plane flying over their heads.

A C-130H Hercules aircraft flew over thirteen Ohio communities on Monday, courtesy of the 910th Airlift Wing from the Youngstown Air Reserve Station.

The aircraft completed scheduled flyovers above Canfield, Cortland, Fowler, Columbiana, and 10 other Ohio communities between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Flights also took place over Middle Bass Island, Mentor, Cuyahoga Falls, Highland Heights, Twinsburg, Kent, Madison, Bath Township, and Marlboro Township.

Lt. Col. Steve Stroney, 757th Airlift Squadron director of operations, stated that the flyovers provided an opportunity for aircrew and mission planners to gain experience in plotting flight courses and hitting specific time targets. Ground personnel also gained experience in preparing and recovering the aircraft.

The nearly six-hour mission on Monday, May 26, involved members of the 757th Airlift Squadron, 910th Operations Support Squadron, 910th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 910th Maintenance Squadron, and 910th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

Retired Col. Jeff Van Dootingh, a former 910th Airlift Wing commander and Associate Chairman of the Middle Bass Island Veterans Association, commented on the flyover at their Memorial Day observance, noting expressions of gratitude from attendees. Van Dootingh’s post read, “Awesome flyover at Middle Bass Island! I lost count of how many attendees expressed their gratitude. Thank you, Team Youngstown!”

The U.S. Air Force Aerial Events website provides information for communities interested in requesting flyovers for public events.  Aerial event support may be requested for air shows, national-level sporting events and events honoring patriotic holidays.