By: Nebraska National Guard Public Affairs Office
LINCOLN, Neb. – A KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the Nebraska National Guard’s 155th Air Refueling Wing along with three F-16 Fighting Falcons from the South Dakota National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing flew over Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska on Aug. 30, 2023, for a University of Nebraska outdoor women’s volleyball game.
The flyover celebrated Volleyball Day in Nebraska. A historic event where an attendance of 92,003 fans became the largest crowd in the world to witness a women’s sporting event.
Col. Kathryn Millwood, the KC-135 pilot in command for the flyover, said she was amazed by the turnout.
“Husker nation is always strong, so I knew we could fill the stadium which could make a volleyball attendance record,” she said. “I had no idea that this would make an attendance record for a women’s sporting event!”
When first tapped for the flyover opportunity, Millwood said her goal was to have an all-female crew on the KC-135. But with only one other female pilot in the unit – a traditional Airman who was unavailable due to her civilian airline schedule – they did the best they could. Leveraging two female boom operators, herself and one other male pilot. In addition, Milwood was able to get two female maintainers to assist with the launching and landing of the aircraft.
Col. Katy Millwood, 155th Operations Group Commander, continues to fly the KC-135R Stratotanker. She continues to serve after 31 years of service. March 30, 2021, at the Nebraska Air National Guard base in Lincoln. We honor Millwood during this month’s celebration of women in the military. As she has served in several roles, jobs and now in leadership in the Nebraska National Guard. (Nebraska Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. R. Denise Mommens)
“Three females out of a four-person crew is not normal,” she said.
While the 155th Air Refuling Wing has participated in several flyovers of Memorial Stadium for football games in the past. This was Milwood’s first Huskers flyover – making the moment even more special for her.
“We don’t do many dissimilar formation (with KC-135s and F-16s) flybys which also made it different and memorable for those flying it and those watching it,” she added. “The flyby, coming at the end of the National Anthem, is a small reminder to all of this great nation and what it takes to remain that way. Whether watching the flyby or flying it, I couldn’t be prouder of what we – our unit, the Air National Guard, the U.S. Air Force, the entire military – do everyday to make this country great.”
After the flyover was complete, Millwood and the rest of the KC-135 crew, including the maintainers and other support personnel – along with the crews of the F-16s – traveled back to Memorial Stadium to watch the remainder of the volleyball game between the Huskers and the Mavericks from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. During a break between sets, the Airmen stepped onto the court to wave to the record-breaking crowd cheering in appreciation of their participation with the game’s opening flyover and for their dedicated military service.
“The atmosphere was electric,” Millwood said. “I have been to many football games in that stadium, but this was different. They announced the final attendance number when we were in the stadium and I just felt like we had been part of something so great. The support from Husker nation to those volleyball players was incredible to witness.”
