Nevada National Guard plane sets altitude record at air races

Dick Benoit

Thursday, Oct. 10, 2002 | 8:23 a.m.

A Nevada Army National Guard C-12 T3 Beech Super King aircraft recently snared an aviation world record for its class. The aircraft, with a crew of soldiers of Operational Support Airlift Detachment 45, set the record on the last day of the 39th Reno National Championship Air Races on Sept. 15 by reaching an altitude of 33,000 feet about 30 minutes after take-off.

The altitude shattered the previous mark of 20,013 feet set by a Russian in an Anotonov An-3 in 1985.

"We knew we had a good chance for the record even before take-off," said Chief Warrant Officer Mike Billow of Reno, the pilot. In order to break the record, Billow and his co-pilot, Chief Warrant Officer Gunner Kyle of Gardnerville, had to reach a minimum of 20,614 feet with a take-off weight of between 13,228 and 19,841 pounds.

Meritorious service

Army Capt. Christopher Faber has been decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal.

The medal is awarded to members of the armed forces who distinguish themselves by either outstanding achievement or meritorious service to the United States in noncombat situations.

Faber earned the award while serving as a company commander for the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Irwin, Calif.

He is the son of Dale and Linda Faber of Las Vegas and graduated in 1989 from Bishop Gorman High School. The captain received a bachelor's degree in 1993 from the U.S. Military Academy.

In brief

Day and Meyer are among more than 4,000 Atlantic Fleet sailors and Marines aboard the ships of the USS Nassau Amphibious Ready Group, which supports amphibious operations using Landing Craft Air Cushions.