Niagara Airmen, aircraft leave for deployment

NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION -- May 9 marked the first time since Desert Storm that a four-ship fly away of C-130 Hercules aircraft took place here. It was also the last, as the 914th Airlift Wing prepares to transition to the KC-135 Stratotanker refueling mission.

That final departure leaves behind a legacy of more than 40 years of service for the wing.

One base member who was excited to be part of this historic deployment was Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Canfield, 328th Aerial Port Squadron loadmaster.

“I volunteered as soon as I found out about it,” said Canfield of her first deployment with the C-130. “It’s why I enlisted.”

The C-130 Hercules has a long history with the installation, beginning its mission in 1971.

“The C-130s have served this unit well,” said Col. Brian Bowman, 914th AW commander. “Many changes and innovations will affect this installation in the future, and these types of occasions allow personnel to chance to look back on the past while focusing on the future.”

This experience not only serves as an opportunity to recognize the unit members who are deploying to support the global mission, but to reflect on the memories and importance of the airlift mission.

“It’s going to be a little difficult for me to say ‘goodbye’,” said Chief Master Sgt. Mike Zimmerman, Aerial Port Squadron loadmaster superintendent. “It’s a great aircraft-- the best aircraft ever build.”

Feelings aside, Zimmerman, who has spent the last 29 years working on the C-130, is also looking forward to the new mission.

“We’ll give it our best,” Zimmerman said. “I’m sure we’re going to do a great job.”

Base members are deployed as part of the 379th Air Expeditionary Squadron and are scheduled to return later this fall.