Air National Guard acting director visits Reno: ‘You’re doing everything right to take this next step’ – DVIDS

The change was the focus of a visit Wednesday to an Air National Guard base in Nevada for U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Duke Pirak, acting director of the Air National Guard.

Whether change from world events or change in the Nevada Air National Guard, the focus of the discussion rarely strayed from the topic of change.

“It’s often unnatural for these bureaucracies or these tried-and-tested systems to do pirouettes,” he said during a town hall meeting with members of the 152nd Aviation Wing, the High Rollers, in Reno. “As Air Guardsmen, it’s in your spirit to do this. You are hardy flyers. And we will win because of you.”

While Pirak’s message focused on future battles, particularly in the South China Sea, Nevada National Guard leadership communicated the need to modernize to meet future change demands.

That briefing, attended by Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., focused on the need for a new C-130 J fleet to upgrade its aging C-130 H aircraft at the 152nd Airlift Wing in Reno.

“Upgrading our C-130 fleet to J models is our number one priority for both the Army and the Air National Guard here in Nevada,” said Brig. Gen. D. Roger Waters, Nevada’s adjutant general, who took command Saturday.

“The Nevada Air National Guard is well positioned today thanks to the hard work of the past three years and more,” said Brig. Gen. David Chauvin, Nevada Assistant Air Adjutant General.

Nevada National Guard leadership talked about its various base construction projects to prepare for the conversion, including a new parking apron, fuel cell hangar and engine shop reconstruction. The Nevada National Guard has already received $850,000 in state design funds and is awaiting approval from the National Guard Bureau to move forward with the projects.

“You’re doing everything right to take this next step,” said Pirak, nominated in March to be the next director of the Air National Guard, replacing Lt. Gen. Michael Loch, who retired in June. Pirak’s nomination and third star await confirmation by the US Senate.

Benefits of converting to the C-130 J include: compatibility with other firefighting units, particularly the 146th Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard; supply chain issues with new parts since the C-130 H is no longer in production; safety with advanced avionics and increased automation and a smaller carbon footprint. The unit’s C-130 H models include mostly aircraft manufactured in the early 1990s.

The need for a change at the Reno wing is imperative to the longevity of the unit, which has been there since 1948, a Nevada Air National Guard official said.

Wednesday’s visit also focused on the 152nd Airlift Wing’s capabilities and its Modular Airborne Fire Protection System, or MAFFS, mission, the 152nd Reconnaissance Squadron’s intelligence and reconnaissance mission in support of active duty forces and the 232nd’s growth for combat training at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. Changes in the Nevada Air National Guard include better alignment with active duty forces and working with partners at Nellis Air Force Base, an official said.

“It’s always great to welcome the director of the Air National Guard to your base,” said Col. Catherine Grush, 152nd Airlift Wing commander. “High Rollers have so much to offer. I can’t thank Maj. Gen. Pirak enough for taking the time to visit us, listen to our concerns, and give us the time to highlight all the great things happening in Reno.”