'Tanker Times' takes last 'stand'

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Until 2006, Air Force newspapers had been an Air Force standard since the inception of the Air Force in 1947.

McConnell's newspaper has gone through many changes during those years, including varying publishing companies, style and design modifications and even a few name changes.

The standard of printing base newspapers was altered in 2006 when the Air Force made the decision to draw down approximately 15 percent of its manpower to free funds for new fighters, bombers, tankers and other aircraft and equipment for today's fight.

"To produce a first-class newspaper, other McConnell Public Affairs programs have taken a hit, and that is something we can't continue," said Mr. David Fruck, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs officer. "Additionally, our young Airmen favor the web over newspapers so we need to focus our efforts in that direction."

Due to these challenges, McConnell's "Tanker Times" will follow the route of many other Air Force bases, becoming the latest to deliver all internal news on the web. The last issue of the "Tanker Times" is set for April 29, 2011.

McConnell's official website at www.mcconnell.af.mil (which has been featuring stories from the newspaper since February 2006) and McConnell's official Facebook site (this link can be found at www.mcconnell.af.mil) will now carry all the base news and information.

While the absence of the "Tanker Times" may seem inconvenient to some, the benefits of focusing on our online products are limitless, said Mr. Fruck.

"The absence of the base newspaper will allow our staff to upgrade our website and Facebook, so they may be more on par with other Air Force bases and more user friendly to our readers," said Airman 1st Class Armando Schwier-Morales.

The "Tanker Times" staff is currently operated by three McConnell members: Mr. Fruck, Senior Airman Abigail Klein and Airman 1st Class Armando Schwier-Morales. All publishing, layout and design has been contracted to TCV Publishing, a local publisher, for more than a year.

The entire 22nd Air Refueling Public Affairs office went from a 14 to an 11-person shop, with at least two members being deployed over the past several years.

Col. Kevin Lamberth, 22nd ARW vice commander, is also positive about the possibilities of shifting to web-based news.

"Team McConnell will bid farewell to the 'Tanker Times' and herald its web-based communication tools," he said. "With federal budget cuts and continuing deployment demands, we must question how we do business and opt for new and inventive ways to accomplish our mission. The time for web- based communication is here and will only be more important in the future."

The 22nd ARW public affairs office is currently at work reinventing how it can serve Team McConnell's mission despite a leaner staff. To observe these efforts, visit the official McConnell website at www.mcconnell.af.mil, or "like" us on Facebook.