LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Army National Guard will conduct a routine parachute training exercise on Saturday morning, April 12, near the Sidney Municipal Airport.

The event is expected to start at 9 a.m. The event is free to the public.

Weather permitting, the exercise will involve military personnel, aircraft, and other equipment from the 2-134th Infantry Battalion (Airborne) and an aviation unit from the North Dakota Army National Guard. Military aircraft and personnel may be present in the area throughout April 11-13 for this routine training exercise.

This is the second year for parachute exercises at the Sidney airport, according to George Lapaseotes of L & L Aviation.

"Last year was kind of the first go at it. So we're trying to figure out how to make it work and grow it. Almost a year ago, it was last May, when we did it. This time weather's good. There's going to be about 24 jumpers. They'll jump two times. Some will jump more; a total of about 50 jumpers starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning at the Sidney airport, at 11149 County Road 16," Lapaseotes said.

He said the WNCC Aviation students will be serving juice and donuts, provided by the airport's engineering firm, McShaff, during the event. 

The event is expected to last until about 11 a.m.

Sgt. 1st Class Phillip Mausbach explained the importance of the parachute training.

"We've got to do it at least 3-4 times a year, just to stay proficient. This will be the first time a lot of us jump out of a Blackhawk, which is a completely different exit. Out of a winged aircraft, you kind of jump and let the wind take you. But a helicopter is more of a you jump and fall. So, we're just trying to maintain proficiency, make sure we can exit any vehicle that we need to, to do our jobs," Sgt. Mausbach said.

The training exercise should have minimal impact on airport operations.