MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Last week, 20 individuals from McConnell and the local community embarked on an adventure with a program called Mission Wichita.
These 10 Airmen and 10 young professionals were selected based on their notable qualifications and engagement within the Wichita area.
Mission Wichita is designed to establish networking, relationships and an understanding between McConnell's Airmen and Wichita's young professionals.
"These types of connections not only drive economic growth and pride in Wichita, but improve the overall quality of life," said Alejo Cabral, the director of Young Professionals of Wichita.
Mission Wichita will take participants behind the scenes of McConnell Air Force Base, the Wichita business community and the local government and take members into spaces that few are allowed. Over the course of six bi-weekly sessions, participants will tour various shops on base, visit local industries, campuses and production facilities and even take a flight in a KC-135 Stratotanker.
The outings are intended to educate young professionals and present an opportunity for them to help the community continue to prosper and build future leaders.
"Mission Wichita is a great stride in bridging McConnell's best and brightest with Wichita's up and coming," said Col. Josh Olson, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "It is imperative that we continue to find ways for civilian and military counterparts to communicate and leverage each other...it is our charge to develop America's sons and daughters to take our place."
Congratulations to McConnell's 2018 Mission Wichita Participants:
Master Sgt. Bartek Bachleda, 22nd Air Refueling Wing
Master Sgt. Dustin Clark, 22nd Operations Group
1st Lt. Christopher Clements, 22nd Mission Support Group
Master Sgt. Aaron Degnan, 22nd Maintenance Group
2nd Lt. Michael, Ellsworth, 22nd Medical Group
1st Lt. Travis Frazier, 22nd Operations Group
Master Sgt. Stephen Jackson, 184th Intelligence Wing
Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Johnson, 22nd Mission Support Group
1st Lt. Randy Lambert, 22nd Maintenance Group
Capt. Craig Van Praag, 931st Air Refueling Wing