Montana Air National Guard hosts 8th annual ‘Operation: Open Hangar’ event

GREAT FALLS, Mont. - Making its return to Great Falls is “Operation: Open Hangar” at the Montana Air National Guard air base.

This isn’t your typical job fair, this is the 8th annual Open Hangar event at the Montana Air National Guard air base where 200 kids from four different schools in central Montana get up-close and hands-on with the advanced hardware of the Montana Air National Guard.

“It's really beneficial to kind of show them in real time and give them the ability to walk around, touch things, see the aircraft in real time other than me just talking about it,” said Andrew Casperite, Montana Air National Guard technical sergeant.

Students had the opportunity to tour a C130, practice life-saving skills with medical personnel, and see how the Air National Guard bomb disposal team uses the latest robotics technology to keep the treasure state and country safe.

Some students appreciate the opportunity to explore numerous job fields to understand what the Montana Air National Guard has to offer.

“A lot of people just think that the military is black and white. you just have to be a certain thing. So, it’s just showing us that we can do medical, food services, or just services in general or working with an aircraft. I feel like most people don’t understand what they can do here,” said Kara Crispell, Great Falls High School student.

Officials tell NonStop Local there are 90 different jobs split between part-time and full-time in the Montana Air National Guard. They add about 50% of Montana kids who attend the job fair do choose a career path with the air national guard.

Stepping outside the octagon, UFC fighter Dustin Jacoby came to visit the 120th Airlift Wing for the second time and be a special guest at Monday’s event.

Jacoby tells NonStop Local he’s grateful to talk with the students and help them advance their lives.

“It's all about the kids man and letting them know there's something out there that they can be a part of that’s bigger than them. And a team that can help them advance in life and get started at an early age,” said Jacoby.

If you have an interest in joining the Montana Air National Guard, head to montanaairnationalguard.com for details.