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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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Niagara has "flair"

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrew Caya
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  The sound of a C-130 aircraft could be heard and streams of red-hot light were seen over Lake Ontario August 10.

It looked like a Fourth of July display of fireworks however, this combination of pyrotechnics was not for show; it was for testing protective and survival aspects of the aircraft from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y.

"The flares are a defensive measure we use against threats," said 328th Airlift Squadron Director of Operations Lt. Col. Joe Potts. "They are critical."

A flare is an aerial countermeasure to counter an infrared homing or "heat seeking" surface-to-air missile or air-to-air missile. Flares are commonly composed of a hot-burning metal, with burning temperature equal to or hotter than engine exhaust. The aim is to make the infrared-guided missile seek out the heat signature from the flare rather than the aircraft's engines.

While practice of dispensing flares may please the eye, Potts stated that 914th Airlift Wing Airmen used those bright fireballs at times when they were threatened during contingency operations around the world.

One of those Airmen who have deployed flares in a combat situation, 328th Tactics Officer Maj. Anthony Wilmot said "Training to dispense flares has proven effective; it provides real world training for younger aircrew members to experience."