McConnell welcomes evacuated MacDill aircraft

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Erin McClellan
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  McConnell will welcome 11 KC-135 Stratotankers assigned to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 7-8 after they evacuated due to the threat posed by Hurricane Irma.

Irma, which is currently a Category 5 hurricane, threatens a large part of the United States’ east coast. MacDill is evacuating aircraft as a precaution to ensure no harm comes to them.

“The safety of our Airmen and aircraft is paramount,” said Col. April Vogel, 6th Air Mobility Wing commander, MacDill AFB.

Being here will ensure the aircraft and aircrews from MacDill are out of harm’s way until they can safely return to their home station, protecting millions of taxpayer dollars.

"As the home of air refueling, we are always ready to assist, whether it's by delivering combat air refueling in the middle east or providing a safe haven to our brothers and sisters in arms who are fleeing adverse weather,” said Col. Joshua Olson, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander. “In the past two years, Team McConnell has evacuated its own aircraft twice and we're happy to be able to return the favor."