When the skies cleared today at Lahm airport, planes took off from the runway and Lahm’s annual Airport Day in Mansfield was under way. The day’s event included an open house with a car show, model-making for the youth and many other activities for the family. It was an opportunity to visit the 179th Airlift Wing, talk to pilots, loadmasters, flight engineers and many other airmen serving at the Air National Guard.
This year, organizers also expressed appreciation “to North Central Ohio for saving the 179th Air National Guard unit and welcoming back the C-130s.”
The public could tour both the C-27 and the C-130 plane. Some were heard to remark how much bigger the C-130 was than the C-27. Andrea and Walt Leitenberger helped guide the tour. Andrea Leittenberger is stationed at the 179th as an Aviation Resource Manager, and Walt Leittenberger is retired with experience in both the Army and the Air Force.
The C-130 on display was flown in from Alaska.
“We received this C-130 in May,” Leitenberger stated, “and we already have crewmembers in training.” There is already one pilot, two load masters, and two flight engineers training from the Mansfield 179th. “They’re at the Little Rock base in Arkansas,” she said, “and eventually all our crewmembers will receive second method training here at Lahm.”
Andrea Leitenberger has had 27 years with the Air National Guard right out of high school in Loudonville. Her career also helped her earn a degree in Paralegal Studies. “My uncle was a Navy recruiter, but I decided I wanted to be in aviation,” Leitenberger stated. “I love it. The Air National Guard has been great. And it’s been pretty even here, in terms of diversity.” Her experience both in Mansfield and in active duty may lead to another generation in her family: Leitenberger’s 17-year-old daughter.
Julia Schreck is someone who appreciates the airport’s history. Her grandfather Art Schreck owned a crane and excavation company, and Schreck excavated the land for the Lahm Airport. “My grandfather was a pilot, my dad was a pilot, and both my brothers are or have been pilots. There’s even a picture of my grandfather Art Schreck and Gorman together, with their jets here at Lahm airport.” Schreck’s passing recently from cancer makes Airport Day very important for a citizen like Julia. “I was in a plane ever since I could walk,” she recalled. “It’d be a shame if it closed. There are too many memories, and it’s too important to close.”
In years past at Lahm Airport Day, she remembered,“There used to be hardly any standing room,” she said. She was at the base on Saturday with her young grandson.
