Mock MQ-9 Cockpit Will be Featured at 174th Fighter Wing Display at New York State Fair

Related Media

A mock-up of a remotely piloted aircraft cockpit will be on display at the New York State Fair this year.

SYRACUSE, NY (08/22/2012)(readMedia)-- Visitors to the New York State Fair will have the opportunity to check out equipment used by the New York Army and Air National Guard and talk to Guard members during the fair's 12 days.

The New York Air National Guard's 174th Fighter Wing will display a mock-up of the ground cockpits that National Guard pilots use to fly MQ-9 aircraft in the skies above Afghanistan from Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse.

The interactive cockpit will allow fair viewers to get some idea of what it is like to be a pilot providing air support to American and allied troops on the ground halfway around the world.

The wing will also display a 1/6th size scale model of the MQ-9 Reaper aircraft the unit flies, as well as models of the bombs carried by the aircraft.

The MQ-9 can provide an eye-in-the-sky for American troops as well as fire weapons when needed.

The 174th Fighter Wing, which becomes the 174th Attack Wing on Sept. 9, not only operates the MQ-9, but also trains MQ-9 mechanics and pilots and sensor operators for the Air Force.

The 174th Fighter Wing display in front of the Coliseum will be manned throughout the fair and key leaders of the wing will be on hand to meet with the public.

A team from the 109th Airlift Wing, which flies supplies and personnel to Greenland and the South Pole in support of science missions, will also be on hand at the booth.

Kids will be able to participate in a "Fitness Challenge" where winners will receive an Air National Guard bag and winners of a daily lottery drawing will get the opportunity to ride in a military humvee during the daily fair parade.

The New York Army National Guard will maintain information and recruiting booth at the fair as well.

The station, located between gates 3 and 4, will display military vehicles as well as a full-sized mock up of the ##88 National Guard NASCAR race car driven by Dale Ernhardt Jr. Visitors will also be able to take a turn driving the NASCAR simulator.

Army National Guard recruiters and Soldiers will be on hand to talk to members of the public about what the National Guard is and opportunities for training and part-time military careers.