Check Six – 2011: Reno Air Race

Posted on Apr 20, 2022 in Check Six

Thanks to John “JC” Chun for sharing these personal photographs taken on September 15, 2011. The 204th Airlift Squadron flew in one of their C-17 Globemaster IIIs to provide a static display. 

JC’s additional comments: 

The P-51D Mustang crashed happened on September 16, 2011. The spectator stand the Mustang crashed into was the very same stand Lorraine and I were sitting on just the day before.  We were driving home and approaching Travis AFB gate when Yvette Miraflor (Reno resident) called me to let me know about the crash.

Photo #1: MSgt Jason Caires and me

Photo #2: Lt. Jason ‘Loots’ Lilly and TSgt Chad Ashida. 

Photo #3: The crew enjoying some down time.

DVIDS video coverage of the crash response

Hawaii Guardsmen were displaying their C-17 at the Reno Air Race on September 16th when a vintage P-51 crashed into the audience. Eleven people died and about 70 others were injured, including a Hawaii Air National Guardsman who was released from a local hospital. The Hawaii Guardsmen provided triage and comfort to injured and survivors. Watch the video by TSgt Andrew Jackson.

– Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS)