• 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

  • 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

  • Controlled Burn: Maintaining the Ecosystem

    U.S. Air Force Wildland Fire Branch members burn tall grass during a controlled burn at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, March 20, 2025. Burning the grass is more cost effective and beneficial to the ecosystem than mowing.

  • 2025 State of the Base address

    Col. Cory Damon, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander, speaks to the crowd during the annual State of the Base address at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, March 13, 2025. Damon spoke about Team McConnell’s 2024 accomplishments and plans for the future, including the announcement of the 2026 Frontiers

  • 2025 Mission Wichita class kicks off with a social

    Tech. Sgt. Darius Gamble, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron airframe powerplant general noncommissioned officer in charge, socializes with Abigail Hammack, a civilian member of Mission Wichita, at the Kansas Aviation Museum in Wichita, Kansas, March 4, 2025. Mission Wichita is a program that