Spouse appreciation event provides networking to family members

Airman 1st Class Patrick Clark, 344th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, speaks with the Team McConnell spouses about what it’s like being a boom operator, Oct. 2, 2015, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. The spouses toured a KC-135 Stratotanker as part of a spouse appreciation day held for 22nd Air Refueling Wing, 184th Intelligence Wing and 931st Air Refueling Group dependents. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victor J. Caputo)

Spouse appreciation event provides networking to family members

Team McConnell spouses speak with members of helping organizations from around base during a spouse appreciation day event, Oct. 2, 2015, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. The event allowed spouses to see what happens on a daily basis around McConnell, and provided them with information about the various organizations they can utilize. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victor J. Caputo)

Spouse appreciation event provides networking to family members

Published Oct. 8, 2015
By Senior Airman Victor J. Caputo
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Spouses of Airmen from around the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, 184th Intelligence Wing and 931st Air Refueling Group were able to spend a day learning first-hand what their partners do at McConnell during a spouse appreciation day on Oct. 2.

Stops on the tour included a static display of a KC-135 Stratotanker, a security forces demonstration and the opportunity to speak with leadership from the three major units at McConnell.

"I want them to get involved and meet other people," said Kim Miller, spouse of Col. Albert Miller, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "They're going to run into each other year after year, and if they stay involved, they can eventually move to a new base and already know a huge number of people there."

The spouses were given information on where to go to stay up-to-date with base events and news. They also had the chance to meet and speak with family members of different squadrons than they normally interact with and received information from various organizations around base.

"We were able to show them some of the support the base and community want to provide to our spouses and their families," said Capt. Melissa Robinson, 22nd Communications Squadron operations flight commander. "There are so many organizations out there to support our families, and we just want them to be aware of these organizations and take advantage of them. Our spouses and families are as much a part of Team McConnell as the military member, and we want to provide for them."