McConnell welcomes new honorary commanders

Honorary commanders, program alumni, Golden Eagles and 22nd Air Refueling Wing leadership pose for a photo following the honorary commander assumption of command ceremony Dec. 9, 2015, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. The honorary commander program strengthens the relationship between McConnell’s leadership and civilian supporters by pairing and local community partners with a unit commander to learn about the base’s Airmen, missions and programs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tara Fadenrecht)

McConnell welcomes new honorary commanders

Published Dec. 10, 2015
By Senior Airman Tara Fadenrecht
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- The "Wing of Choice" welcomed six local community leaders into the base's honorary commander program during a ceremony Dec. 9, here.

The program fosters an enduring and beneficial link between McConnell's leadership and civilian supporters by pairing local community partners with 22nd Air Refueling Wing leadership for two to three years. They spend their tenure learning about the base's mission, assets and programs.

Col. Albert Miller, 22nd ARW commander, welcomed the inductees and expressed his excitement to have them part of program.

"Thank you for taking the time, not just today, but over the next few years to learn the Air Force story, to learn McConnell's story," said Miller.

During the ceremony, unit commanders pinned a commander's badge on their respective honorary commander, inducting each individual into the Team McConnell community.

"It's an honor to be part of something like this and help serve in a different capacity than what I'm used to," said Andrew Nelson, local restaurant owner and 22nd Maintenance Group honorary commander. [I'm looking forward to] getting to know what it means to be an Airman. I'm just excited to learn."