Whether it’s providing relief to humans and their livestock during blizzards or floods, or helping during a pandemic, the Nebraska National Guard is always quick to answer the call.

When the state’s National Guards aren’t busy delivering hay and other relief supplies to those in need, they find time to show up at Husker Harvest Days for one of the show’s most popular exhibits. The guards and their display will be stationed near the southwest entrance of Husker Harvest Days.

Staff Sgts. Matthew Wonder and Schuyler Schoenhofer say the National Guard will have an impressive showing at this year’s Husker Harvest Days. Requests have been made to have a “CH-47 Chinook helicopter, a Black Hawk helicopter, as well as a [UH72] Lakota helicopter” at the show, Wonder says. He assures that at least one of the helicopters will be on the showgrounds.

Look inside copters

As in years past, show visitors will be able to climb aboard the helicopters and visit with a pilot. “Everyone is allowed to walk up [and] look in the cockpit,” Wonder says. “They can go into the actual loading area. They are free to roam about; they just can’t go into the cockpit.”

A request has also been made to have an 1165 Up Armored Humvee, and visitors will be able to sit in the Humvee and look under the hood.

Focus on next generation

Another exhibit is a STEM trailer, to show attendees how the Nebraska National Guard fits into the science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines that make up STEM curricula.

“Our focus is that younger generation coming over to our booth,” Schoenhofer says, “so the STEM trailer is targeted toward them to show them how we [National Guard] fit into the STEM careers.”

There will be virtual-reality items, as well as a station where showgoers can build and program a mini robot. Visitors will also be able to drive and control an explosive ordnance disposal robot.

At this point, the STEM trailer and the Humvee are confirmed, and the helicopter requests are dependent on if the aircraft are needed elsewhere for military service.

“Our biggest focus, especially this year, is just letting people get their hands on different items or hands on the equipment that we have that we use whether here or overseas,” Schoenhofer says.

Of course, the Nebraska National Guard will have items such as yardsticks, towels or hats, so visitors aren’t leaving empty-handed.

Visit the Nebraska National Guard display to learn about the equipment the guards deploy in their duties.