News

  • McConnell crews complete first local flights, refueling

    The anticipation toward the KC-46A Pegasus arrival has been building since it was announced that McConnell would be the first main operating base to house the Air Force’s newest weapon system. Fast forward to 2019, and the KC-46 has started to fly around the Midwest skies. On Feb. 26 and 27, 344th

  • KC-46 acceptance inspection

    Master Sgt. Chris Hughes, 22nd Maintenance Squadron hydraulics craftsman, and Staff Sgt. Jamie Berridy, 22nd MXS electrical environmental craftsman, watch as a KC-46A Pegasus boom extends for an acceptance inspection Feb. 14, 2019, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. Along with the boom, the KC-46 can

  • Airmen receive KC-46 egress training

    Fifteen minutes into a flight and a strange aroma begins to fill the cabin. A black, cloudy substance seeps under the door. What is your initial reaction? What if there’s no flight attendant near to ask?

  • USTRANSCOM Commander visit

    U.S. Army Gen. Stephen R. Lyons, U.S. Transportation Command commander, speaks to Staff Sgt. Austin Barlow, 22nd Maintenance Squadron inspection section journeyman, Feb. 21, 2019, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. Lyons coined Airmen assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing and the 931st ARW during

  • Familiarization taxiing training

    Master Sgt. Arenda Jackson, 931st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, marshals the KC-46A Pegasus on the flightline Feb. 21, 2019, at McConnell Air Force Base Kan. The first KC-46 was delivered to McConnell Jan. 25, 2019. The Air Mobility Command will operate 179 KC-46s distributed to multiple

  • Annual Awards Banquet 2018

    Base Honor Guardsmen prepare to post the colors prior to the 2018 Annual Awards Banquet Feb. 13, 2019, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. The annual awards banquet in a tradition that honors and celebrates Airmen who’ve performed exemplary service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michaela

  • A day in the life: KC-46 aircrew familiarization

    While still getting familiar with the KC-46A Pegasus and the new capabilities with it, there are many unknowns for the aircrew. The Air Force has implemented a four-stage approach for integrating the KC-46 to help with this. First is the familiarization phase, next initial operations test and

  • The Four Chaplains Ceremony

    Col. Phil Heseltine, 931st Air Refueling Wing commander, speaks during The Four Chaplain Ceremony Feb. 12, 2019, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. During the speech, an image of a stamp was displayed that the U.S. Postal Service issued in 1948 in remembrance of the chaplains. (U.S. Air Force photo

  • Excellence during UEI recognized

    Members of Team McConnell receive recognition for excellence for their performance during a Unit Effectiveness Inspection Feb. 11, 2019, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. During the UEI, inspectors reviewed how McConnell operates and how efficiently the unit carries out its mission. (U.S. Air

  • McConnell wins AMC 2019 Welsh Award

    Team McConnell was awarded Air Mobility Command's winner of the 2019 Gen. Mark Welsh III “One Air Force” Award on Jan. 30, 2019. This award recognizes a team that has demonstrated improved effectiveness through two or more total force components.