Commander invites Airmen to Open House Published Sept. 17, 2010 By Col. Jamie Crowhurst 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Team McConnell (Airpower!!!), It's almost time for our Open House/Air Show and things remain busy across the base. Last night we had some severe weather that produced damaging hail and I know many of you are dealing with clean up or assessment of aircraft. Fortunately, we had good weather last Friday during our Patriot Day Retreat Ceremony where we recognized and remembered our first responders and members who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. Thank you for the tremendous turnout and for all those who made this a meaningful event. We started this week with our team supporting the 184th Intelligence Wing in an exercise that tested one of their combat mission sets. Our work with the 184th IW is indicative of Total Force partnerships that ensure our Air Force's success. This week we also completed our third quarter Senior Airman Below-the-Zone Promotion Board and congrats to the following teammates for their outstanding performance: Airman 1st Class Aris Livica, 22nd Operations Support Squadron Airman 1st Class Kymberlee Cortez, 22nd Security Forces Squadron Airman 1st Class Andrew Macdonald ,10th Air Support Operations Squadron Airman 1st Class Herschell McKinley, 22nd Communications Squadron Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Salas, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron Airman 1st Class Bob Carmichael, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Airman 1st Class Matthew Myers, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Airman 1st Class Joseph Towne ,22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Airman 1st Class Noah Briggs, 22nd Maintenance Squadron Airman 1st Class Daryl Rasco, 22nd Maintenance Squadron Sept. 18 marks the U.S. Air Force's 63rd birthday and we will celebrate tomorrow with an Air Force Birthday Luncheon. Additionally, multiple private organizations have partnered together to provide us a series of Air Force Heritage functions over the course of next week. I encourage you to participate and listen to some of the speakers we have lined up. We will wrap up with the week with a Fun Run on Thursday and the practice air show and reception on Friday. Tragically, this week we also lost a teammate, Staff Sgt. Danielle Crone, from the 931st Air Refueling Group who left behind her active duty husband and countless friends and family members. I know that this is directly affecting many of you, and I encourage you to reach out to our professionals across the base. Your leadership will put you in touch with the right person or agency for help. This loss saddens me greatly but I am extremely proud of our Total Force team that has come together to assist the families involved. It also causes me to reflect on the critical role that each of us plays in taking care of one other and supporting the team. Never doubt that each of you can make a difference in someone's life, simply by looking them in the eye and talking to them. There will be a memorial service for Sergeant Crone at 2 p.m. on Sept. 17 at the base chapel, all are welcome. Along the lines of taking care of each other, the 384th Air Refueling Squadron hosted 5- year-old Jesse Whiteside as part of the 22nd Operations Group's Pilot for a Day program. Jesse suffers from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and today he was able fly a KC-135 simulator, take a tour aboard one of our aircraft, shoot water from a fire truck and visit our air traffic control tower. Our team made a difference in Jesse's life today as you did much more than make him a pilot for the day, you let he and his family know we care. Have a safe and enjoyable weekend! I care for each one of you! Col C · Sept. 17 - Air Force Birthday Luncheon 11:30 a.m. at Robert J. Dole Community Center · Sept. 17- Family Night 5 to 9 p.m. at Robert J. Dole Community Center Ballroom · Sept. 18 - Let's Just Play Day and International Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Youth Center · Sept. 20 through 24- Air Force Luncheon Series and Fun Run · Sept. 24 - Base Reception / Practice air show ·Sept. 25 through 26- Open House Family Night: Sept. 17 at 5 p.m. at the Robert J. Dole Community Center Ballroom, enjoy a dinner buffet and lots of games from 5 to 7 p.m. Then, Family Bingo at 7 p.m.; 10 games and everyone gets a bingo card for just 25 cents each. The cost is $5 per person (children 3 and under free). For more information, call 759-6023. Let's Just Play Day & International Fair: Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Youth Center. Families are invited to Let's Just Play Day to enjoy bouncy castles, games, a cook out and to register for Fit Factor and Fit Family. Also travel the world with Team McConnell at the International Fair. Experience other cultures and learn about overseas bases through food sampling, international scavenger hunt, games, educational materials, handouts and more. For more information Call 759-4070 for more information. Air Force Heritage Series and Fun Run: Sept. 20 through 23 is a way to bring together our amazing people, and show how we support the big picture of the Air Force mission with an outstanding lunch/breakfast speaker series focusing on Air Force heritage, a fun run that is open to families,and the Open House/Air Show and weekend performances. All Team McConnell members are invited to attend. Please see specific days for RSVP information. For more information, E-mail Maj. Marcio Fletes at marcio.fletes@mcconnell.af.mil. Team McConnell Open House/Air Show Family Reception: Sept. 24 all active duty, Guard, Rerserve, military retirees, Department of Defense civilians and their families are encouraged to watch the practice sir show and enjoy an afternoon of family fun. The Air Show practice will begin at noon. From 2 to 4 p.m. stop by the Storm Cellar Sports Bar and the Back Patio to watch part of the practice air show and enjoy free snacks courtesy of Larkspur Bistro and Bar and Buffalo Wild Wings Derby Marketplace. At 3 p.m., the Thunderbirds take the air. Feel free to bring lawn chairs and blankets.Then from 4 to 7 p.m., move in to the Robert J. Dole Community Center Ballroom for a party to kick off Open House weekend. Enjoy free food, courtesy of Cake Ball Divas, Best Western Airport Inn and Conference Center, Two Brothers Barbecue, Arby's, Papa John's Pizza and Truffles. The Boeing Jazz Band and the Wichita Broadway Singers will provide entertainment from the ballroom stage. Don't miss out on this exciting, free event.