Honorary commanders experience KC-135 flight

  • Published
  • By Capt Brus Vidal
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
By Capt. Brus E. Vidal
22nd ARW Public Affairs

A group of 22nd Air Refueling Wing Honorary Commanders saw first-hand the business end of the mobility mission during an aerial refueling flight on June 29. 

Approximately 10 of McConnell's honorary commanders participated as KC-135 flight Turbo 55 conducted a "fighter drag," refueling a group of Air National Guard F-15s from the 131st Fighter Wing, Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, Mo. 

When Turbo 55 touched down after a successful mission, the landing was also a symbolic culmination of a year's worth of formal, wing-led Honorary Commander events. The flight was the final of seven events, dating back to August 2004. 

Other formal events included the Honorary Commander's Change of Command Ceremony and dinner, a 22nd ARW orientation day, and one orientation day with each of the Wing's four groups - Mission Support Group, Medical Group, Maintenance Group and Operations Group. 

The finish of Turbo 55's mission also marked the first time in history the 22nd ARW completed all seven formal events of the program during one year. 

"We enjoy a wonderful relationship with our local community leaders and we, in turn, support them with an Honorary Commander's Program that is second to none in our Air Force," said Col. David J. Kramer, 22nd ARW vice commander. "A lot of hard work from countless Team McConnell members went into our seven formal events this past year, and I salute all who supported these tremendously successful events. 

"Through these events, we further cultivated a terrific base-community relationship while showcasing the Team McConnell mission and some of its finest Airmen to our regional business, civic and government leaders," Colonel Kramer said. "Now, these local and regional opinion leaders can tell the Air Force story to countless Americans." 

One of those local leaders, Mr. Michael Kinard, the Honorary Mission Support Group Deputy Commander, said he learned much more than he ever knew about the Air Force mission, despite being the son of a retired Air Force veteran. 

"This is a fantastic program," said Mr. Kinard, who flew on a KC-135 for the first time and is serving his second year as an Honorary Commander. "The program provides some really good insight into what goes on at this base. 

"I never realized, although I was a military brat, all of the ongoing things that happen."
Mr. Kinard also said, for him, the orientation flight was the most interesting of the seven events. 

"That was fantastic - it was a first-hand look," Mr. Kinard said. "You really don't realize all of the work that goes on with the Air Force mission, but when you see other jets pull up that close, beside you ... it's just amazing. 

"I can't believe how close those planes get to each other, and yet the Airmen make it look routine." 

The 22nd Aeromedical-Dental Squadron's Honorary Commander, Mr. O.J. Lichlyter, also came away impressed after witnessing the air refueling mission