Navy flight finds harbor locally

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Sep 24, 2008 by Kevin Elliott

By Kevin Elliott

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Nearly 50 members of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps found harbor in Topeka on Tuesday after their airplane ran aground during a refueling stop at Forbes Field.

Five Navy flight crew members and 39 troops with the Marine Corps' Silent Drill Platoon heading to Washington, D.C., from Denver were stranded in Topeka because of a landing gear problem, said a spokesman with Million Air Topeka.

Learning a group of service personnel was marooned in a landlocked port, the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority offered a free ride to refuge at the Holiday Inn West Holidome, said transit authority director Janlyn Nesbett.

"It's every girl's dream," Nesbett said. "A group of sailors comes to town. We have two buses headed out to Forbes Field. Two drivers -- one is just thrilled."

Nesbett said the authority's charter allows for a certain amount of free service to people on official government business. She said the impromptu transportation will count toward the authority's allotment of free service under the charter.

The group is expected to depart for its base in Washington, D.C., today after mechanics receive parts for the repair, said the Million Air Topeka spokesman.