MSG enables base readiness

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing public affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, KAN. --  The 22nd Mission Support Group demonstrated its capability to meet McConnell's mission needs during a pass-in-review involving 40 mobility and emergency vehicles March 26 at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan.

The event showcased the full range and capability of the 22nd MSG to the McConnell and local community.

Airmen from the 22nd MSG provide for all mission support services to wing's more than 3,500 military and civilian members offering security, fire protection, contracting, transportation/supply and fuels, food, lodging, housing, communications, personnel, recreation and facilities management totaling approximately $416 million of McConnell's infrastructure, according the 22nd MSG factsheet.

Vehicles used to accomplish the MSG's responsibilities were featured in the parade.

"This event really displays the full scope of 22nd MSG's mission at McConnell," said Capt. Amy White, 22nd MSG executive officer.

The pass-in-review also showcased the 22nd MSG's contributions to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing's priorities of 'READY MOBILITY... READY AIRMEN... READY BASE.'

"These Airmen are ready to deploy at a moment's notice, at the same time, they do a great job of keeping up our base," said Col. James Crowhurst, 22nd ARW commander. "We tried to show off every vehicle in our Mission Support Group inventory to give these Airmen, who keep our base ready, and keep themselves ready, a chance to show off what they do for McConnell."

Colonel Crowhurst also emphasized the importance of showcasing the event to the local community.

"It's important for the local community to know what we do at McConnell AFB because we get a tremendous amount of support from the local community," he said. "We like to let them know that support is appreciated and to show them the capabilities that they are supporting. We hope they will see that we have a ready base not only because of the great equipment we have, but really because of the great Airmen we have who operate it."

The ability to have a display of McConnell's mission was also noted by the commander.

"This event was important because it reminds team McConnell of what our priorities our and allowed for tangible displays that Airmen could point to and see the equipment, and more importantly, the people who help maintain a ready base," he said.

Hosting future pass-in-views is a possibility, Captain White said.

"We hope this might grow into something [involving] more than just the mission support group," she said. "We would also like to invite more families and members of the local community next time to provide them with a visual of 'ready base.'"

As host wing of McConnell AFB, the 22nd ARW maintains the world's largest KC-135 Stratotanker fleet, supporting Air Mobility Command aerial refueling, airlift and aeromedical evacuation missions worldwide.

The base will open its gates to Wichita and the surrounding communities Sept. 25 and 26 when it hosts the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds for an open house and air show. The open house will be an interactive opportunity for the community to meet the Airmen here and see the equipment the Air Force uses worldwide.