Photo By Staff Sgt. Mary Thach | Crayton Noe, representing Seward, Neb., unveils his nose art graphic on a KC-135 at...... read more read more
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LINCOLN, Neb. – A Seward, Neb., native and Concordia University freshman will now have his artwork displayed around the world on the nose of a 155th Air Refueling Wing KC-135R Stratotanker, after his artwork was unveiled during a ceremony, Sept. 8, at the Nebraska National Guard air base in Lincoln, Neb.
The artwork is part of the 155th ARW’s annual nose art program, an annual tradition where the Nebraska Air National Guard nominates a Nebraska town or city and a contest is held within the local high schools for students to create a design that represents their community.
Crayton Noe, the artist behind this year’s winning entry, is a marketing major at Concordia University in Seward. He created a design that involved a bulldog and blue jay, mascots of Concordia University and Seward High School, breaking through a brick wall. There are a few other structures in the background representing Seward that inspired his design.
“When I used to go to the Civic Center in Seward, they had a blue jay breaking through a brick wall,” said Noe. “That’s how I got the brick wall design.”
Col. Keith Schell, commander of the 155th ARW, explained the significance of the ceremony, and the history behind nose art.
“The aircraft nose art has a long tradition within the military and the Air Force,” said Schell. “Gaining popularity during World War II, nose art was created by ground crews and supported by pilots. Aircrews depended on the aircraft for their survival during these trying times.”
“The Art was a way to come together as a team, both ground and aircrew, to ensure the safety of all aboard,” added Schell. “It unified the crew and it’s like what we are doing here today. We’re unifying the Air National Guard Nebraska with the state of Nebraska and with the city of Seward.”
Schell said community involvement, like the nose art program, is vitally important to the 155th. It not only recognizes a local community, it also gives the NEANG a chance to promote the benefits of joining the guard to Nebraska communities and high schools.
Noe said he was honored to be given the opportunity to display his artwork on the aircraft and work with the Nebraska Air National Guard.
“I feel ecstatic. Now that I’m here and it’s actually hit me and I’m realizing what’s happening, it’s just phenomenal,” said Noe. “You guys do so much for us, it’s nice to give back and do something as small as making an art design for you.”
Noe’s artwork will be kept on the nose of the aircraft for one year and will be seen by people across the country and the world.
| Date Taken: | 09.08.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.03.2013 15:17 |
| Story ID: | 107980 |
| Location: | LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, US |
| Hometown: | SEWARD, NEBRASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 261 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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