General Johns stresses importance of tanker fleet at A/TA conference

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  More than 4,000 active-duty, Guard and Reserve members of Air Mobility Command gathered at the 42nd Airlift/Tanker Association Conference Oct. 28 to 31 in Orlando, Fla.

During three days of briefings, Air Mobility Command Airmen, including more than 100 Airmen from McConnell, were addressed by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy and Gen. Raymond E. Johns, Air Mobility Command commander.

General Schwartz stressed the importance of AMCs role in the upcoming surge of servicemembers and joint missions in Afghanistan.

"There is no doubt about our ability to deliver to [joint forces]," he said. "If they need dedicated support, we'll do it for them."

General Schwartz's briefing was the first of 40 available to Airmen during the conference. The briefings provided Airmen the opportunity to ask AMC leadership questions about concerns or ideas they have.

One McConnell member, Senior Airman Anthony Johnson, 22nd Force Support Squadron military personnel journeyman, asked General Schwartz  how to be a good mentor.

"The reality is that reputations are hard to earn and easy to lose, it is important for us to strive everyday to keep our promises as members of the Air Force," answered General Schwartz. "Work hard, do your job well, represent the Air Force and look to the future for all the opportunities the Air Force provides."

Airman Johnson felt that General Schwartz's answer, as well as other responses during the briefing, were simple and to the point.

"It was very detailed," Airman Johnson said. "What he stated was simple, 'try to be right to your people, teach your people, and most importantly, be good to your people.'"

The conference briefings also addressed issues including the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, total force integration, the explosive ordnance disposal mission in Iraq and Afghanistan and a detailed account of the military career of retired Air Force Col. Joe Jackson, a Medal of Honor recipient.

When asked what he hopes Airmen will learn from attending the briefings, Colonel Jackson said he hopes his stories will help them to be better Airmen.

"Education is important and necessary to advance in your career, and it will also make you a better Airman and a patriot," Colonel Jackson said. "If I can pass that on to these Airmen, my life will be complete."

General Johns concluded the conference with closing remarks, and he acknowledged Airmen who had gone above and beyond their roles. Three McConnell Airmen were included in this category.

Capt. Richard Hennies, 350th Air Refueling Squadron executive officer, 1st Lt. Guennadi Antonov, 350 ARS mobility officer, and Senior Airman Jeff Wall, 350th ARS boom operator, operated a KC-135 Stratotanker temporarily assigned to the 340th Expeditionary Squadron and 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

While assigned to these squadrons, the air crew directly supported coalition forces by refueling two U.S. Air Force A-10s Thunderbolts that were providing air over watch for friendly forces on the ground. Having just received fuel, the A-10s were called to support U.S. Army forces assigned to a unit in southeast Afghanistan.

During a 45-minute period, these forces came under small arms fire from anti-coalition militants, while the A-10s covered the Army, employing 567 rounds of 30mm ammunition and two rockets against the enemy position. With the A-10s low on fuel, the KC-135 crew coordinated a rendezvous to extend the A-10s' time on station. While refueling, one of the A-10s broke contact to employ a 500-lb JDAM against the enemy location firing on U.S. personnel. The USAF joint terminal attack controller embedded with the regiment declared the air support successful in halting enemy fire without any friendly casualties.

The flexibility of the McConnell aircrew in relocating air refueling tracks and ensuring the A-10s received fuel helped protect ground forces from enemy attack.

"It was an honor to be recognized because we really were just doing our job," said Captain Hennies. "It's amazing that our story got all the way up to General Johns."

General Johns also reemphasized the importance of the tanker mission and its role within AMC.

"Without the tankers, we could not [complete our global mission]," he said. "Our tankers are important to the nation."