Once a Squarepatcher, always a Squarepatcher: 384th ARS celebrates 60 years

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Thornbury
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  An audience sits in anticipation, awaiting the reveal of the newest noseart among McConnell's fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers. There are two displays, one on the side of the aircraft and the other on a display resting below. The only thing between the noseart and the audience are two identical maroon cloths.

Whoosh! The cloths are simultanaously lowered and raised respectively to reveal Spooky the 384th Air Refueling Squadron phantom, followed by the audience applauding in approval.

The reveal was one of the events during the 384th ARS semi-annual reunion for current aircrews to meet with former Squarepatchers, Oct. 22-25, 2015, here.

The reunion provided the opportunity for younger Airmen and retired Squarepatchers to connect with each other, share stories, recognize the squadrons heritage and further instill their traditions. On Oct. 23, several events were held including: the nose art reveal; a tour of the static display of the first produced KC-135; a KC-46 Pegasus brief, to show how the future of the Air Force and 384th ARS will change; squadron building tour; a tour of the boom operator weapon system trainer and KC-135 aircraft simulator; as well a couple of meals throughout the day.

"It's a testiment to the Airmen of the past and our way to say thanks and give them homage for what they've done," said Lt. Col. Eric Hallberg, 384th ARS commander, who was appointed seven months ago.

What made the 60th anniversary reunion unique compared to previous years, was that it featured a noseart reveal and could be the last 384th ARS reunion to occur here. The squadron is slated to move to another Air Force base with the arrival of the KC-46 Pegasus.

"The Air Force is about change and as the youngest U.S. military service it is important to instill traditions," said Hallberg.

The 384th ARS hasn't always been a refueling squadron; originating as a bomb group flying the B-17 Flying Fortress and later the A-26 Invader. The 384th began the refueling mission with the KC-97 Stratofreighter which was succeeded by the KC-135 and will soon be flying the KC-46.

"It is pretty cool to be in a squadron that has been around a long time," said said1st Lt. Jacob Clark, 384th ARS navigator. "The squadron runs deep in heritage, many legends have came from this squadron and I am honored to be a part of it."

Even with transitioning from different weapon systems and missions, one thing has remained the same.

"Squadrons change but the heritage always stays,"said Clark. "Once a Squarepatcher, always a Squarepatcher."

Oct. 24, the Squarepatchers were able to play a round of golf followed by a reunion dinner later that night. At the dinner, Hallberg, Col. B. Phillip Heseltine, 22nd Air Refueling Wing vice commander, and retired Gen. James Davis, former Squarepatcher spoke about the squadrons heritage and experiences they have had with the squadron.

"At the end of the event, I was just amazed and I realized what a privilage it was to listen to something you would expect from the History Channel or from a book," said Hallberg. "I felt tremedous honor and a sense of worth of being part of something bigger than myself."