Local exercise draws cross-country partners

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Victor J. Caputo
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Twelve members of the Utah Air National Guard spent several days observing an operational readiness inspection here, Sept. 14 - 18, to share best practices and improve processes affecting the Air Force's global reach.

The inspection analyzed McConnell's ability to support the combatant commanders around the globe and rapidly deploy multiple aircrews and aircraft from the base. The Guardsmen from the 151st Air Refueling Wing from Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base in Salt Lake City  provided an additional level of expertise for this mission.

"We're always looking for ways to improve our processes, and I've heard that the people at McConnell are experts on readiness and mobility," said Col. Darwin Craig, 151st ARW commander. "We came out here to start a partnership and to learn from the best."

Craig accompanied his wing inspection team, part of the 151st ARW's Inspector General office, to McConnell, where they worked alongside 22nd Air Refueling Wing personnel through every step of the exercise.

"When we received the chance to work with Colonel Craig and Airmen from the 151st, it was a chance we couldn't pass on," said Col. Albert Miller, 22nd ARW commander. "Any chance we can learn from each other will only help us become a stronger Air Force family."

One objective for the exercise was for the 151st ARW inspection team to learn as much as they could from their McConnell counterparts.

"It's good to get out and see all three components [Guard, Reserve and active duty]," said Craig. "They're all held to the same standard, but each has different strengths, and we need to see those different perspectives every once in a while."

Results for the inspection will be released by mid-October, but preliminary results indicate that all commanders' goals were met.

"I'm very thankful to the 151st ARW for coming out and participating in this inspection with us," said Miller. "The partnership between our two units will help our Total Force team to exceed expectations and continue to stand ready in our nation's defense."