MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- McConnell Airmen proved to make the core value “excellence in all we do” a priority when the 22nd Air Refueling Wing was recognized for winning the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for the third year in a row for actions performed between Aug. 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024.
This award is earned by units that have distinguished themselves through outstanding achievements.
During this period, McConnell kept busy with 24-hour operations. The 22nd ARW deployed 799 Airmen to 32 locations worldwide in support of 14 joint and coalition named operations projecting lethality and international deterrence across six combatant commands.
Meanwhile, McConnell Airmen worked to set a world record when the wing successfully executed Project Magellan, a 44-hour-and-55-minute sortie that accomplished the first nonstop KC-46 westbound circumnavigation of the globe. Project Magellan set the record as the Air Force’s longest combat sortie, further showcasing how the foundation of Rapid Global Mobility is fuel provided by tankers.
Operating on a global scale is nothing new for the 22nd ARW. McConnell brought the Air Mobility Commander’s vision of “exploding into theater” to life with a four-day total force exercise. This included geographically separated leadership rapidly deploying 79 wing personnel, achieving 27 sorties, 107 flight hours delivering 100,000 pounds of fuel to 31 aircraft during this exercise to demonstrate agile combat employment.
Col. Cory Damon, 22nd ARW commander, attributes the success of McConnell to the hard work of the Airmen he leads to perform the air refueling mission.
“Your hard work and dedication have set us apart from other units, and for that, you should be immensely proud,” Damon said. “This award is a testament to your exceptional service, outstanding achievements, and the unwavering commitment each one of you brings to our mission and each other every day.”
Back at home, the 22nd ARW earned several awards. Efforts from the Airmen of McConnell resulted in recognitions such as the Air Force’s best Medium Security Forces Squadron, AMC’s clinic of the year and best Air Force dining facility of 2023.
“This is your award, your achievement,” Damon said. “People depended on us, and you were there.”