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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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Professional hockey players pay a visit to NFARS

  • Published
  • By 914th Airlift Wing
  • Public Affairs Office
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  Members of the base had the opportunity to meet and greet players from the National Hockey League's Buffalo Sabres here on Nov. 3, 2015.

An excited crowd was on hand to interact with Sabres forwards Jack Eichel, Matt Moulson and Zemgus Girgensons, and defensemen Zach Bogosian and Mike Weber.  Sabretooth, the Sabres mascot, was also on hand to entertain the crowd. 

During the visit the players toured a C-130 Hercules aircraft, handled military weapons, wore a bomb suit and got to ride along in High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) with a M2 50-Caliber machine gun mounted up top.  They also took time to sign autographs and pose for individual photographs. 

"It was thrilling to have them in our neighborhood where they were the visitors and we had the opportunity to give them a glimpse of what we do," said Lt. Col. Mark Ables, Director of Inspections, 914th Airlift Wing.  "They were all genuine and humble and thanked us for our service."

This event was held prior to the Sabres Annual Military Appreciation Game being held on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, against the Vancouver Canucks.  Footage from their visit will be displayed before a sold out crowd. 

"These type of events are great opportunities for the military to raise awareness in their local communities and give people an inside look at what goes on at a military installation," said Maj. Andrea Pitruzzella, Public Affairs Officer,  914 AW.

The event was a great success and military members walked away with smiles, autographs, and a lot of envious friends looking on as social media pages filled up with pictures of us side by side with our favorite players.  The men and women of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station would like to thank the Buffalo Sabres for a great event and taking the time to watch what we do off the ice.