Clearing the flightline

From left to right, Maj. Chad Bowden, 319th Operations Support Squadron director of operations, and Lt. Col. Joe Moritz, 319th Mission Support Group deputy commander speak with Maj. Jerry Bennett, 349th Air Refueling Squadron pilot April 14, 2012, Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. Bennett flew the first of 16 KC-135 Stratotankers that evacuated McConnell as a pro-active measure before projected storms hit the Midwest. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Jose L. Leon)

Clearing the flightline

Published April 17, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Jose L. Leon
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Eighty-three McConnell Airmen on 16 KC-135 Stratotankers evacuated to Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., April 14, 2012.

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Goggin, 349th Air Refueling Squadron commander, led as the mission commander, temporarily relocating the Stratotankers from McConnell to protect them from severe weather conditions threatening the Midwest.

The 22nd Air Refueling Wing leadership's decision to shelter and evacuate the Stratotankers before the storm arrived Saturday evening, avoided damage due to hail, flying debris and wind.

A single KC-135 is worth approximately $40 million. If one were damaged, there is no way to rebuild them. Even damage caused by hail can take the plane out of service for missions, said Goggin.

The move saved taxpayers a potential of more than a half billion dollars in aircraft damage.

"Everyone did a fantastic job getting the jets launched out of McConnell," said Goggin. "Grand Forks Air Force Base really made our mission effortless."

The time and gas used to get the Stratotankers to Grand Forks AFB was not wasted, as the guard side of the base was damaged by tornados that were in the area.

After an overnight stay, the KC-135s returned to McConnell so that the air refueling mission could continue.