Latest news with #SAFB
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Honor veterans and families at Sheppard AFB Retiree Appreciation Day
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — The Sheppard Air Force Base Retiree Activities Office is celebrating Retiree Appreciation Day and invites all retirees to come out! A time to celebrate veterans and their families, so they know the resources that are available in Texas for our veterans. What: Retiree Appreciation Day at SAFB When: Saturday, June 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: SAFB Event Center Questions: Sheppard AFB Retiree Activities at (940) 676-5088 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sheppard AFB readies for cattle egret dispersal efforts
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — If you live near Sheppard Air Force Base, don't be alarmed if you hear what sounds like gunshots over the coming weeks. SAFB officials said the base is partnering with the City of Wichita Falls and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the coming weeks to start using non-lethal methods to disperse a large flock of cattle egrets roosting just west of the base. Sheppard AFB tackles aviation safety with bird control measures Officials said egret flights threaten aviation safety, and collisions between aircraft and birds can result in significant monetary damage, the loss of an aircraft, and even the loss of human life. Residents who live near the base should be advised that the dispersal methods will sound similar to gunfire, occur throughout daylight hours, and end around sunset. Base officials say even though major strikes are pretty rare, in July 2013, a single cattle egret strike over the base airfield led to the non-fatal ejection of two pilots and the complete loss of a T-38 aircraft worth around $8 million at the time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sheppard AFB tackles aviation safety with bird control measures
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — To ensure aviation safety, Sheppard Air Force Base (SAFB), in collaboration with the City of Wichita Falls and the United States Department of Agriculture, will soon implement non-lethal methods to disperse a large flock of birds. According to a release from SAFB, the Cattle Egrets have begun roosting on private land just west of the base, but their flights passing over the SAFB airfield present strike threats to aviation safety. Community generosity fuels Stamp Out Hunger Drive success SAFB said that while strikes are usually rare, in July 2013, a single Cattle egret strike over the AFB airfield resulted in the ejection of two pilots and complete loss of a T-38 Aircraft, valued at $8,000,000. The dispersal methods are pyrotechnics and propane cannons, which will sound similar to gunfire and will take place during daylight hours, ending at sunset. For any questions, contact the 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs Office at (940) 676-1500. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Veterans take aim at wild hogs during annual ranch event
Big Country Veterans conducted the group's annual Veterans Helicopter Weekend on April 24-27 at the Circle Bar Ranch near Truscott about 100 miles west of Wichita Falls. The group has sponsored the event since 2016, according to its Facebook page. The helicopter hunts allow veterans to fly and hunt invasive hogs over thousands of acres of Texas ranch land, organizers said. Other activities the group supports include shooting at a gun range, axe throwing, shotgun competition, ranch tours and western cuisine. The nonprofit organization welcomed 18 new veterans and had more than 200 attendees at the 2025 event, according to the website. "Big Country Veterans strives to honor and support those who have sacrificed so much for our nation's freedoms. It is our mission to promote awareness of these sacrifices and bring communities together to foster healing environments and provide meaningful resources to help veterans and their families conquer life after combat," the group said on its website. More: Wichitan sentenced on sexual assault charges More: SAFB drive collects nearly 6,000 pounds of food for the hungry This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Veterans take aim at wild hogs during annual ranch event
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wichita Falls employee recognized for Sheppard Air Force Base efforts
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — One City of Wichita Falls employee recently won the Community Partner of the Year Award, which thanks those in the community for being active advocates and forcing change that helps Sheppard Air Force Base. The 82nd Mission Support Group awarded Karen Montgomery-Gagne the Community Partner of the Year. Gagne officially received this award on March 7 and will receive special recognition at the city council meeting on Tuesday, March 18. Commander Colonel John Hollister from the 82nd Mission Support Group praised Gagne for being a 'critical component' of the mission's continued success. 'We wanted to take the time to ensure that we were thanking those in the community that help SAFB. Mrs. Montgomery-Gagne has been a constant advocate and force for change to help advance the training missions,' Hollister said. 'Specific instances were taking the lead drafting the grant package for the DEAAG, advancing language to the 4A/4B boards for economic assistance to both DEAAG and BASH weed control. In addition, she is continually in communications with multiple base agencies regarding everything from utilities to obstructions in the local air space.' Gagne is the city's principal planner and has partnered with SAFB, the Sheppard Military Affairs Committee, and the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce on three different grant programs, including the Defense Economic Adjustment Assistant Grant Program. 'I feel very honored I have been given the opportunity both professionally and personally to be involved with Sheppard Air Force Base through the ENJJPT program,' Gagne said. 'I have enjoyed working with so many wonderful people at the 82nd while also getting to know all of the incredible people that come through Wichita Falls through ENJJPT. This community is very blessed to have this Air Force installation here locally.' She and her family have been ENJJPT co-sponsors for the Italian delegation since 2013. They welcome new students when they arrive in Wichita Falls, which allows the students to connect locally. Director of Development Services Terry Floyd expressed gratitude for Gagne and praised her hard work for SAFB and the entire community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
