Air Guard dedicates C-130 'Spirit of Mansfield' during airport event

by Tech. Sgt. Joe Harwood
179th Airlift WIng Public Affairs

8/22/2014 - MANSFIELD, Ohio  -- An Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft from Mansfield's 179th Airlift Wing joined about a dozen other aircraft at Mansfield Lahm Airport during an event July 5.

The event is dedicated to aviation and aircraft of past and present, as well as chance to showcase a couple hundred classic cars and other vehicles.

The "Spirit of Mansfield" is a name that embodies the community support for the 179th Airlift Wing. It represents everything that has been done in the past to preserve the base in hard times, as well as the continued support of the community into the future. Col. Gary McCue, 179th AW commander, kicked off the event with an aircraft dedication ceremony, a dedication of a C-130H, being christened the "Spirit of Mansfield". Wife of Congressman, Bob Gibbs, Jody, was honored with the christening of the aircraft.

State and local representatives attended the event; Congressman Bob Gibbs, David Howard representing the office of Senator Sherrod Brown, Richard Spicer, representing the office of Congressman Pat Tiberi and Mansfield Mayor Timothy Theaker.

"I can't say enough about how proud I am to be here," Congressman Bob Gibbs said. "I want to thank all the men and women that serve here. They are always ready for us, to serve our nation and our state. These planes are not exactly new; the maintenance crews here deserve a round of applause because they keep them flying. They are always ready. We're committed to keeping them flying here, and hopefully to getting them some upgraded ones. This unit has served us in Afghanistan, Iraq and all over and I think we should all recognize the value they have to us here."

The District 12 Ohio Senate sent a proclamation stating it's approval of this "On behalf of the members of the Senate of the 130th General Assembly of Ohio, we are pleased to applaud the 179th Airlift Wing. This is indeed an important occasion and provides an ideal time to acknowledge the exceptional work done by the 179th Airlift Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard. This remarkable unit has diligently striven to sustain the highest levels of integrity and professionalism while serving Ohio and the United States of America." The proclamation is signed by Senator Keith Faber, President of the Ohio Senate and Senator Larry Obhof, the Majority Whip.

Richard Spicer, representing the office of Congressman Pat Tiberi, presented a proclamation from Congressman Tiberi, recognizing the dedication of this aircraft.

"It truly is an honor to be a part of this event, it is tremendous everything you do for us," Spicer said, who is a former Marine and wounded warrior. "And as a former Marine, I learned two things about these aircraft, you can always fit one more in the back, and if you gave it to the Marines, it's just a matter of a time before we try and strap some guns to it."

There on behalf of the city of Mansfield to accept a framed photograph of the aircraft in flight over Mansfield was Mayor Timothy Theaker.

"The support we get from Washington, Senator Brown, Congressman Tiberi, Congressman Gibbs and at the state level with Representative Romanchuk, Senator Obhof, Senator Faber, along with the citizens of Mansfield, it's great," Mayor Theaker said. "The 179th is an important part of our local and state economy, but they are a very important part of the defense of this country."

After the dedication ceremony, the public lined up to tour the C-130H, a line that stayed busy for the remainder of the day. The plane's crew engaged visitors at the rear ramp and onboard. Visitors of all ages took turns looking out the windows, climbing on the seats, and exploring the cockpit.

Airport Day is not an event hosted by the 179th AW, although its members love to get involved. Col. Michael Howard, vice commander, volunteered to be one of the judges of the car show, and many members of the unit attended the event with their families.

The day hosted beautiful weather, contributing to the largest crowd that Airport Day has seen to date.