Teachers fly with Airmen

Published May 1, 2012
By Tech. Sgt. Dallas Edwards
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- More than 30 area teachers experienced the 22nd Air Refueling Wing and the 931st Air Refueling Group's mission April 28, 2012, witnessing Airmen conduct aerial refueling of a B-2 Spirit.

The educators, from eight area school districts, have military dependents as students.

Before the flight, the teachers received a mission brief from Col. Ricky Rupp, 22nd ARW commander and Col. William Mason Jr., 931st ARG commander.

"You may have students with parents in the military," said Rupp. "They can sometimes experience stressful moves. Exposing you to our mission is in our best interest."

Rupp also shared some of his experiences growing up as a military child.

"I lived here [McConnell] as a child because my dad was stationed here," said Rupp.

Rupp attended Wineteer Elementary School outside of McConnell.

After the flights, there was a general consensus among the teachers that they now better understand McConnell's mission and can relate to their students who have military parents.

"I really enjoyed the visit because it gave me a better idea of the work, practice and forethought that goes into missions," said Sheena Jensen, Wichita South High School biology and zoology instructor. "Actually learning the purpose of missions was great."

Gale Farmer, Wichita Collegiate instructor, and a few other teachers said that they plan on preparing a slide show for their students and talk about the experience they had with McConnell Airmen.

"It was an awesome opportunity," said Farmer.