22nd ARW celebrates 20 years at McConnell AFB

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Maurice A. Hodges
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Airmen from McConnell Air Force Base and local dignitaries commemorated the 20th Anniversary of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing moving to McConnell Jan. 7, 2013, in a ceremony at the Robert J. Center ballroom.

Rep. Mike Pompeo, Sen. Pat Roberts and Col. Joel Jackson, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander, spoke to approximately 150 attendees during the event about the wing's history, its accomplishments and what it means to them.

The wing started off as the 22nd Bombardment Wing in 1948 at Smoky Hill AFB and later moved to March AFB, in 1949. In 1982, the 22nd BW converted to 22nd ARW. In 1994 it finally came to McConnell, replacing the 384th Bomb Wing as the base's host unit.

"This wing has done amazing things over the past 20 years," said Jackson. "I'm honored to be a part of it, even though I have only been here a couple of months compared to the span of twenty years."

The 22nd ARW is the largest supertanker wing in the world, and one of three in the Air Force. It has supported Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Allied Force, Operation Deliberate Force, Operation Southern Watch and Operation Northern Watch.

"There are great young people out here celebrating the anniversary," said Pompeo. "Not every unit gets the chance to do that. It's fun for me to be a part of it, and it's great to see everyone enjoying cake."

Roberts took a moment to have the audience reflect on the 22nd ARW's importance in the big-picture of the Air Force's mission.

"This base has been an integral part on almost every national security mission that was involved in global reach," said Roberts. "Unless you have that air cover, and that refueling capability, the mission doesn't get done."