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Big birds on display at Guard's armory

An open house allows the Florida National Guard to show off its aircraft and guardsmen.

By BETH N. GRAY
Published October 13, 2005

BROOKSVILLE - For those fascinated with aircraft, it's a perfect opportunity to marvel at Black Hawk helicopters and C-23 Sherpa planes. For others, Saturday's open house of the Florida National Guard facilities at the Hernando County Airport is a chance to get to know those who have served in Iraq.

Normally closed to the public, the armory will open its doors from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to showcase its aircraft, weapons, training and air personnel. The armory is home to Company B, Detachment 1 of Company C and Detachment 1 of Company H, which are all units of the Florida Army National Guard's First Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment.

Open houses locally and throughout the state are part of an effort to reacquaint people with the Florida National Guard and its structure, according to Lt. Col. Ron Tittle, spokesman for the Florida National Guard.

Since the Guard was established at the Hernando County Airport about five years ago, it has been too busy tending to official duties to organize an open house. But the Guard throughout Florida has been encouraged to reach out to local residents.

"Our soldiers live and work in these areas, and they couldn't serve in this way without the support of our communities," said Chief Warrant Officer Joseph Langlois, a maintenance officer for Detachment 1 Company C, 171st Aviation Unit.

"This is a great opportunity for people in our communities to come out and see firsthand what the Florida Army National Guard Aviation does to maintain its proficiency," Langlois said.

The UH-60 Black Hawk is a utility helicopter that carries personnel and cargo and can be converted to a medevac unit for rescue missions.

One of Brooksville's B Company helicopters arrived in New Orleans a day after Katrina struck and stayed for two weeks. The crew rescued about 700 storm survivors, Langlois said.

The Sherpa cargo aircraft, used by the U.S. Army, carries up to 30 passengers, as well as equipment and supplies.

In addition to the big birds on display, visitors will be able to watch flight training demonstrations by those who fly and maintain the aircraft.

Guardsmen will be available to tell their personal stories of serving in Iraq and Kuwait and providing rescue and aid missions in Louisiana and Mississippi after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Florida National Guard recruiters will also be on hand to talk about career opportunities, Langlois noted.

"We also want to generate interest in serving our state through service in the Florida National Guard."

Recruitment has been a sore issue for the active-duty armed services.

And the National Guard has also been affected. The average enlistment is down about 500 below the state's goal of 10,000, Tittle said.

"There's not a problem with people signing up. Some can't pass the physicals and the fitness (requirements)," Tittle said.

However, Guard signups in the past have included about 50 percent service people coming off active duty and 50 percent new recruits. Now, about 65 percent of recruits are those without prior active duty, Tittle said. Some potential candidates have been discouraged by what they've seen and read in the news about duty in the Middle East, Tittle said.

Guided tours of the aviation facility will be offered; the Hernando County Sheriff's Office will stage demonstrations by its canine unit; food from Pit Boss of Spring Hill will be available for purchase.

Beth Gray may be contacted at graybethn@earthlink.net

WHAT: Florida National Guard open house

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Army Aviation Support Facility No. 2, north end of Hernando County Airport airfield off Spring Hill Drive at 13688 Helicopter Drive

ADMISSION: Free

For information, call 754-6738.

[Last modified October 13, 2005, 01:11:19]