×

Thunderbirds set to return to Valley in 2020

VIENNA — The man taking over the command of the Youngstown Air Reserve Station on Feb. 9 is a Buffalo, N.Y., native and earlier in his career flew C-130s, like those supporting the mission at the 910th Airlift Wing.

Col. Joseph D. Janik, the base’s vice commander now, is taking over command from Col. Daniel Sarachene. Sarachene said it is ideal Janik has been at the base for a year, so when it comes time to take the helm, he is familiar with operations.

Janik will oversee more than 1,200 reserve members and eight C-130H2 aircraft, which are sure to deploy across the country and globe on missions to distribute land and air drop loads, run aeromedical evacuation missions and provide aerial spray services.

Depending on the length of his tenure, Janik may oversee the 2020 air show announced Friday.

Thunder Over the Valley with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will return to the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in June 2020, Sarachene said. The six F-16 “Fighting Falcons” of the Air Force aerial maneuvers team last were in Trumbull County in June 2017 during the Thunder Over the Valley Air Show at the air station.

Janik began his career as an enlisted, active duty tactical aircraft maintenance specialist in June 1989, before joining the reserve as a C-130 flight engineer in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Janik went on to study business administration before earning a commission through Officer Training School.

He learned to fly and flew C-130s out of the 328th Airlift Squadron at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.

Janik has flown combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Before coming to YARS, Janik most recently served as a director at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Georgia and also served at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas.

Sarachene took over command of YARS in February 2017, where he served his first assignment as a pilot in 1992. In 2014, Sarachene transferred to become vice commander of the 914th Airlift Wing at the Niagara Air Reserve Station in New York, but maintained his Austintown home.

Sarachene replaced Col. James Dignan, who commanded the station from February 2013 through the fall of 2016.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
     

Starting at $4.85/week.

Subscribe Today