Delaware Air National Guard reaches 165,000 hour accident-free military flying milestone Published Feb. 27, 2009 By 030209 NEW CASTLE, Delaware -- Contact: Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Matwey Public Affairs Specialist, 166th Airlift Wing Cell 302-593-2126, or office 302-323-3369 E-mail: Benjamin.Matwey@denewc.ang.af.mil Release No. 2009-02-003 February 27, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEW CASTLE, Delaware - The Delaware Air National Guard's 166th Airlift Wing recently reached a safety milestone this winter when the unit surpassed 165,000 hours of accident-free flying on February 4 without a Class A, B or C flying mishap since 1963. The accident-free flying period covers a 46-year period when the unit has flown three models of aircraft - the C-97, the C-130A, and now the C-130H model transport aircraft. This period also covers the last 19 years of flying in Southwest Asia with significant periods of combat flying in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The time includes airlift and aeromedical support for humanitarian missions overseas and at home, including numerous hurricane relief missions on the U.S. Gulf Coast. 166th Airlift Wing Commander Colonel Jonathan Groff said, "This accident-free flying milestone is a tribute to the dedication and hard work of our aircraft maintainers and operators. Hundreds of people contribute to the safety attitude of this organization every day, carrying out our flying mission successfully and safely while performing our state and federal missions. This milestone is a positive result of the outstanding efforts and safety awareness of all current and previous military personnel and commanders of the Delaware National Guard." The 166th Airlift Wing has eight C-130 aircraft flying from home station. Unit Airmen and aircraft are scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan in the fall of 2009. The Delaware ANG has about 1,100 members, and continually deploys personnel and subordinate units around the globe. Previous accident-free flying milestones at 10,000 hour increments, by year: 160,000 hours - 2007 150,000 hours - 2004 140,000 hours - 2001 130,000 hours - 1998 120,000 hours - 1995 110,000 hours - 1992 100,000 hours - 1990 News media: Captioned, high-resolution stock photos of unit C-130 aircraft and personnel from home station and overseas are available for download at http://www.166aw.ang.af.mil/photos/. This release is in the public domain, and any part may be used as written. -- 30 --