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Reserve maintainers hard at work in preparation for Nellis air show

By Capt Jessica Martin, 926th Group public affairs / Published November 07, 2008

Tech. Sgt. Shanna Perry, F-22 dedicated crew chief, wipes down the nose landing gear strut on an F-22 Raptor in preparation for Aviation Nation 2008. The public air show is scheduled for Nov. 8 and 9 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. This Raptor arrived from the factory two weeks ago, and will join close to 100 static display aircraft at the show before flying missions at Nellis.
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Tech. Sgt. Shanna Perry, F-22 dedicated crew chief, wipes down the nose landing gear strut on an F-22 Raptor in preparation for Aviation Nation 2008. The public air show is scheduled for Nov. 8 and 9 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. This Raptor arrived from the factory two weeks ago, and will join close to 100 static display aircraft at the show before flying missions at Nellis.

Tech. Sgt. Denise Patterson, an F-15 crew chief, cleans the cockpit of an F-15 Eagle aircraft to be on display during Aviation Nation at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. on Nov. 8 and 9. As an Active Guard Reserve member in the 926th Group here, Sergeant Patterson works alongside regular Air Force members on a daily basis to maintain the F-15s.
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Tech. Sgt. Denise Patterson, an F-15 crew chief, cleans the cockpit of an F-15 Eagle aircraft to be on display during Aviation Nation at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. on Nov. 8 and 9. As an Active Guard Reserve member in the 926th Group here, Sergeant Patterson works alongside regular Air Force members on a daily basis to maintain the F-15s.

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NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Reserve maintainers from the 926th Group spent days preparing aircraft for the annual Aviation Nation, a free air show here open to the public Nov. 8 and 9. 

Tech. Sgt. Shanna Perry, a dedicated crew chief, worked tirelessly detailing an F-22 Raptor, fixing oil leaks and placing chocks, plugs and covers on the jet to ensure it was in top shape to show off to the thousands of visitors expected to attend the show. 

"I'm proud to know that my work will help showcase the Air Force's premier fighter aircraft to the community," said Sergeant Perry. "As the only full-time reservist working in the Raptor unit here, it's exciting to have been selected to prepare the F-22 for display." 

Sergeant Perry is an Air Reserve Technician, which means that she has dual-status, working as a full-time DoD civil service employee and as a reservist performing the same job. She arrived at the base two and a half years ago when the 926th GP was still a squadron with just 13 members. She's now one of many maintainers in a group more than 200 strong. 

"Before coming to Raptor I worked on F-16s here for two and half years, and most people in the regular Air Force unit didn't realize I was a reservist," Sergeant Perry said. "That's the point though, for it to be transparent." 

The 926th GP's reservists are integrated with RegAF personnel to get the mission done as part of Total Force Integration. Through this initiative, the RegAF provides the aircraft and other mission assets and the Reserve provides supplemental manpower.

The F-22 Sergeant Perry prepared just arrived on base from the factory two weeks ago, and will be one of almost 100 static display aircraft on the flightline over the weekend. In addition to the air show's static displays, several civilian and military air demonstration teams, including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Navy F-/A-18, will perform. 

This year, Aviation Nation's theme is "The 21st Century Air Force." The two-day event will depict the history of American aviation and salute the recent accomplishments of America's military in operations around the globe. 

Historical displays, community exhibits and a Kids' Zone will also be included in the event, with food, beverages and novelties available for purchase.

For more information on the air show, visit the Aviation Nation Web site at www.aviationnation.org. 

(Information collected from Nellis Air Force Base web site)