711th SOS chief soaks up surprising flyover sendoff

  • Published
  • By Dan Neely
  • 919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  Driving toward Atlanta with family members and close friends Oct. 26, Chief Master Sgt. Lyle Spangler, a 711th Special Operations Squadron aircrew loadmaster, was unusually anxious to arrive at his destination. The self-described diehard NASCAR fan knew the day ahead promised not only spectatorship at the marquee Atlanta Motor Speedway - a pilgrimage he made annually -- but a unique opportunity to witness a 919th Special Operations Wing MC-130E Combat Talon I perform the ceremonial flyover during pre-race festivities in front of tens of thousands of race fans and countless ESPN television viewers. But unbeknownst to the 35-year, 4,500-flying hour combat veteran, more than a dozen of his Duke Field compatriots had long conspired in the shadows to arrange a surprise-filled twist to his day at the track. 

Months prior to this trip, Chief Spangler learned his pending medical retirement would negate the opportunity to receive a traditional retirement finis flight. But knowledge of his situation motivated some of his fellow Airmen to honor his career of heroic combat aircrew achievements. Led by Senior Master Sgt. Mike Klausutis, nearly two months of feverish coordination with NASCAR and AMS officials - before and during the event, culminated in a plan to make the chief feel like the proverbial kid in a candy store.
Not long after arriving at the super speedway, Chief Spangler was delighted to suddenly find 18 members of the 919th SOW - operators, maintainers and loggies -- who had piled into government vans at 3 a.m. to travel to the Georgia track and see his special day unfold. In the few hours before the green flag waved, the chief was met by NASCAR marketing officials who lavished him with VIP treatment, including some of the most treasured prizes known to big league racing aficionados: pit and garage passes. Bearing the rock concert equivalent of backstage passes, Chief Spangler and his guests were ushered on a personalized, up-close tour of some of the busiest off-track action - crews polishing their sponsor-laden, 800 horsepower speed machines to ensure they're properly dressed for TV. 

But things just got better from there, the chief recounted later. "It was incredible to see what these (919th SOW) guys had put together for me." 

He was then led to perhaps the tour's most appropriate stop, the Wood Brothers' team garage that sheltered the primarily Air Force-sponsored #21 Ford Fusion. Enjoying a chance to roam the facility and actually touch the Air Force logo-adorned race car, Chief Spangler was permitted to affix his unit's emblem decal to one of its rear quarter panels, then check out the team's "hauler," a similarly Air Force-schemed tractor trailer that serves as the team's rolling garage and interstate transporter. 

Assuming the garage visit would be the day's pinnacle event, the chief was then directed to take the speedway's center stage where the track's public address announcer introduced him and read a special message saluting his highly decorated service to the nation. Moments later, as the National Anthem concluded, Chief Spangler, joined by thousands of spectators, looked skyward and watched proudly as the 711th SOS aircraft conducted its flyover 500 feet above the cheering crowd precisely on time and on target, then made an unusual second and even faster pass for good measure. During the initial flyover, ESPN television displayed a script identifying the plane's type and home station. 

"It felt awesome to see that flyover," Chief Spangler remarked. "And it was great to be up there waving to the crowd." He added, "I had no idea all of this could work out as well as it did." 

Departing the stage, the chief and radio operator Senior Master Sgt. Rinda Ruppel, who helped coordinate the flyover from the ground, walked from the track's infield area up to the grandstands to find their seats. 

"As we were climbing (the grandstand stairs) people were clapping for us and thanking us for our service, "Chief Spangler recalled. "That was a great feeling. And if you ask me, I think the whole thing was great for the 919th (SOW) and the reserves."