News

April 11, 2025
Detachment 8 – where KC-46 crew chiefs are born

McConnell is the original home of the KC-46A Pegasus. The KC-46 took its first flight in 2014, and in 2019, the 373rd Training Squadron’s Detachment 8 began to train crew chiefs on the new airframe. It takes a village of Airmen to raise a young aircraft, and it all starts here.
April 10, 2025
Two weeks left in McConnell's Air Force Assistance Fund campaign

McConnell’s campaign has raised more than $14,000 over five weeks, surpassing McConnell’s 2024 total contributions by about $2,600, but it needs help pushing through the remaining 37% of its goal during its final two weeks.
April 9, 2025
McConnell performs KC-46 flyover for Wichita Wind Surge opening day

The McConnell Air Force Base honor guard presented the colors, and the 349th Air Refueling Squadron performed a flyover in celebration of the Wichita Wind Surge opening day, April 9, 2025. Over 5,800 people were in attendance of the game.
April 7, 2025
Kansas Aviation Museum honors Robin Spurrier with new exhibit

The Kansas Aviation Museum unveiled a new exhibit honoring the life and legacy of Robin Spurrier, the first McConnell Air Force Base Golden Eagle and a longtime Wichita business leader and aviation enthusiast, during an April 1st ceremony attended by family, friends, and members of the local
April 7, 2025
Team McConnell Airmen complete in-house HAZWOPER training

Approximately 17 Team McConnell Airmen completed the 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training at McConnell Air Force Base from March 24-28, 2025.
April 5, 2025
129th IS Becomes U.S. Air Force’s Newest Intel Unit, 184th OSS Deactivated

The 184th Wing, Kansas Air National Guard, celebrated the historic activation of its newest organization, the 129th Intelligence Squadron (IS), during a ceremony at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, March 31, 2025.
April 4, 2025
McConnell’s new veterinarian

The smell of a chemical cleaner lingers in the room and stings my nose as I enter. The bright fluorescent lights cast a harsh shadow on everything in sight. The tile floor feels especially cold against my exposed feet. My nose finds a mat of peanut butter and I almost don’t feel the needle slip
April 3, 2025
The Quiet Guardians of McConnell: DAF Police Officers

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) police officers work alongside Air Force security forces. These personnel, clad in dark blue, are not enlisted. They do not wear the Air Force camo, yet they stand at the gate, patrolling the base to ensure that nothing goes sideways.
April 3, 2025
Beyond the naked eye: Nondestructive inspection

Master Sgt. Jason Barker, 931st Maintenance Squadron nondestructive inspection section chief, inspects a KC-135 Stratotanker part April 1, 2025, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. NDI specialists use the penetrant liquid inspection method to detect defects in small aircraft parts, ensuring the
March 28, 2025
Rendezvous over Louisiana

A KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, traveled to Daytona Beach, Florida, to complete check rides as part of regular proficiency training, March 25, 2025. The KC-135 refueled an MC-130J Commando II assigned to Hurlburt Field, Florida, over Louisiana then returned to