63rd ARS conducts flyover during 15th Annual Volusia County EMS/Military Appreciation Day Expo

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  • By 927th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

A KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft from the 927th Airlift Wing participated in a flyover of University High School in Orange City, Florida during the 15th Annual Volusia County EMS/Military Appreciation Day Expo on Jan. 29, 2021.

Lt. Col. Marc McAllister, squadron commander with the 63rd Air Refueling Squadron, piloted the flyover. He said, “It is important to be involved in military flight demonstrations such as flyovers because it allows students to see different options and capabilities that the military can offer that they may not have been exposed to before.”

The event also included flyovers by a C-17 Globmaster III from the 732nd Airlift Squadron and a KC-10 Extender from the 76th Air Refueling Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and a HC-130J Combat King II from the 39th Rescue Squadron, Patrick AFB, Florida and four T-6 Texan IIs from Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. 

Not only did the event allow more than 2,700 students the opportunity to see military aircraft flyover, there were also military recruiters from the Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy that were on the school grounds to answer questions from interested students.

Sam Irvin, the air show coordinator to Air Force Reserve Command flight crews and retired commander of the 732nd AS, said, “I was impressed with the excitement crews had to be involved in this event. This is for the kids and it is nice to see the willingness to participate.”

In addition to aircraft flyovers, there were helicopters stationed on the school grounds from the Florida National Guard, regional medical centers and local counties. 

Due to the current pandemic, events and procedures at the event were altered from previous years. Irvin said, “Students were divided into groups, which were spaced out through the day to ensure social distancing.” 

McAllister added that he also saw flyovers at a young age, which solidified his interest in becoming a pilot. He hopes that the day’s events will inspire students just as it did for him.