The thunder rolls: McConnell participates in readiness exercise

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Erin McClellan
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  The 22nd and 931st Air Refueling Wings participated in Exercise Global Thunder 2018 Oct. 30 through Nov. 7, 2017, both here and at locations across the nation.

The exercise tested command, control and operational procedures for U.S. Strategic Command headquarters and assigned forces, demonstrating the ability to integrate separate components together as one effective force. McConnell’s participation proved its Airmen are ready and capable of responding to real-world scenarios.

“Exercises like this are one of the most effective ways to ensure that we are prepared to complete our mission whenever and wherever air refueling is needed,” said Col. Josh Olson, 22nd ARW commander. “These exercises can be demanding on our Airmen and their families, and I would like to thank those family members for their continued patience and unending support of our mission — their sacrifices don’t go unnoticed.”

The Airmen here worked around the clock to ensure training objectives were met in support of U.S. Strategic Command’s fundamental mission to deter, detect and prevent strategic attacks against the United States, as well as its allies and partners.

"Our Airmen worked very hard this week,” said Maj. Brittany Gilmer, 22nd ARW director of inspections. “Their participation in this exercise culminated a week of full-spectrum readiness training."