Footballs on their way to Iraq and Italy

Press Release: OGA10-PR-2

Posted: Friday, January 22, 2010

Donated footballs to Operation Gridiron Airlift are on their way to two different locations overseas. The first shipment is headed to the Sather AB USO Center in Baghdad, Iraq. The second is on its way to Aviano Air Base in Aviano, Italy. I have never been to Iraq, but I was deployed to the Aviano Air Base three times in the 1990's in Support of Operation Deny Flight. (Been there, done that, got the T-Shirt) Both shipments should arrive before the Super Bowl is played on February 7.

About Operation Gridiron Airlift

For our troops serving overseas, the simplest gifts from home are always a welcome sight and very much appreciated. And what is more American than a football? Sometimes, just tossing a football around or organizing a friendly game while deployed overseas can be a welcome diversion, bringing a bit of home to a foreign location. That's why Operation Gridiron Airlift has been collecting new and used footballs, that are in good condition, and sending them to our troops serving overseas. 

Founded in 2008, the organizer of Operation Gridiron Airlift is retired Master Sergeant Randy Snow of Kalamazoo, Michigan. He spent 21 years serving in the Michigan Air National Guard and retired as a member of the Battle Creek ANG Base in 2002. Since 2003, he has covered the Arena Football League, arenafootball2, the Continental Indoor Football League, United Indoor Football and the Indoor Football League. He has also covered the All American Football League and the Canadian Football League. His work can be found on ArenaFan.com, OurSportsCentral.com and AmericanChronicle.com.

The list of contributors to Operation Gridiron Airlift continues to grow and includes the following;

Pro Football Leagues

• The National Football League / Detroit Lions (2008)

• The Arena Football League / Grand Rapids Rampage (2008)

• Arena Football One / Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (2009)

• The Continental Indoor Football League / Kalamazoo Xplosion (2008)

• The Intense Football League / San Angelo Stampede Express (2008)

Colleges

• The United States Air Force Academy (Mountain West Conference) (2008)

• Western Michigan University (Mid-American Conference) (2008)

• Central Michigan University (Mid-American Conference) (2008)

• Michigan State University (Big Ten Conference) (2009)

• Purdue University (Big Ten Conference) (2008)

• Arizona State University (Pac-10 Conference) (2009)

High Schools

• Hackett Catholic Central High School, Kalamazoo, Michigan (2009)

• Kalamazoo Christian High School, Kalamazoo, Michigan (2009)

• Orrville High School, Orrville, Ohio (2009)

• Wooster High School, Wooster, Ohio (2009)

Other

• FlexFab LLC of Hastings, Michigan (2008)

• Other private donations

For more information, or to make a donation, contact Randy at RandySnow22@yahoo.com. You will also find Operation Gridiron Airlift on Facebook and YouTube, or visit www.OperationGridironAirlift.com.