80th OSS aids avian racers in ducky derby

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Corbin
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
Sheppard faces the threat of damages from bird strikes every time an aircraft takes off or lands. But for once, Sheppard welcomed a multitude of them as personnel helped the United Regional Foundation get all of their ducks in a row.

Thanks to help from the 80th Operations Support Squadron, 10,000 rubber ducks will descend on the Wichita River April 14 as part of the inaugural Rubber Duck River Derby, hosted by the UFR to benefit the Children's Miracle Network.

The 80th OSS aided the URF, their squadron adopters, by spending the afternoon March 30 cleaning, drying and numbering all 10,000 of the daring derby racers.

Steve Ahrens, the 80th OSS director of operations, said the event is a great way to show how Sheppard interacts with the community.

"It's a prime example of why the Squadron Adopter Program is such a great success," he said.

Deb West, the executive director of the URF, said the help is not only appreciated, but necessary.

"It's absolutely marvelous," she said. "We couldn't do it without them; we just don't have the manpower."

Participants in the race will release their ducks in the river April14 at 10:30 a.m. behind the Multi-Purpose Events Center in the river. Prizes will be awarded to whoever adopted the winning duck. For more information on the derby and adopting a duck call 764-8238.