When C-130 Hercules pilots started getting into trouble in challenging terrain, the 192nd Airlift Squadron ‘High Rollers’ of the Nevada Air National Guard reacted by establishing a specialist flying class.
THE 192ND AIRLIFT Squadron ‘High Rollers’ of the Nevada Air National Guard has been in the C-130 Hercules business for over 20 years. The squadron flies eight C-130H3s as part of the 152nd Airlift Wing out of Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Nevada, and has evolved to embrace an unusually diverse range of missions. Typical of the ANG, this makes use of the experience on hand, many of the squadron members having been here throughout their careers and accumulated in-depth knowledge of their mount.
The regular day-to-day cargo and trooping tasks are all on the flying schedule at the ‘High Rollers’ as you’d expect, from local airlift to international disaster relief. However, what makes the ‘High Rollers’ stand out are two niche roles, which have been acquired thanks to the enthusiasm and experience of the resident personnel. In 2016, after several years of lobbying, the 192nd assumed the airborne firefighting role with the roll-on/roll-off Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS II). In addition…
