Commander speaks about Phoenix Rally Published Oct. 21, 2010 By Col. Jamie Crowhurst 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Team McConnell (Airpower), Last week Chief Master Sgt. Michael Edwards and I attended the Air Mobility Command Phoenix Rally at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. During Rally, we shared the results of our recent KC-135 Stratotanker Point of Use Parts Enterprise improvement event with leadership across Air Mobility Command. This event will have long lasting effects on the entire KC-135 fleet and help us provide more Superior Warfighter Support in the long run. On Oct. 16, our Airman & Family Readiness Center and teammates from across the wing hosted 67 family members at the Family Mobility Line. This was a great event to help families understand the deployment process that we all experience,click here for full story. Oct. 16, our McConnell Air Force Base flag football team traveled to Fort Riley, Kan., and battled valiantly in a very close 13-6 defeat, click here for the full story. As we wrap up this week hopefully many of you are getting ready to participate in our Wing Fun Run. Or maybe tonight you are coming to Signatures to watch our very own Staff Sgt. Brenda Johnson compete for the AMC Icon in a broadcast event from Scott AFB. Oct. 22, everyone available should be at the Robert J. Dole Community Center at 3 p.m. as we recognize our outstanding teammates at the Wing Quarterly Awards Ceremony. This weekend we're also hosting a Retiree Appreciation Day at the Dole center and many of you will be partnering with various base agencies to connect with and honor those who served before us. The day starts with medical screenings in the morning, followed by informative briefings, lunch, panel discussions between current Airmen and retirees and the day will end with a wine tasting and nice meal in the ballroom. Looking ahead to next week on the 27th we have guest speakers, Megan Johnson and her father Larry, who have a great message about building healthy relationships. Then the next day, we get the chance to honor our newest frontline supervisors with an Airman Leadership School graduation ceremony and on Oct. 29 day we'll end the work with a promotion ceremony and celebration. Plus all week we'll observe "National Red Ribbon Week" and renew each person's commitment to living a drug free life. The secretary of defense encourages all Department of Defense components to take this week and reflect on how we can maintain continued vigilance in our quest for a drug free military. For those who are parents: it's never too early to start talking with your kids about drug use; they receive many mixed messages from media & peers. Additionally, the Parents of School Age Program staff has activities planned daily to help promote drug abuse awareness for those enrolled in the program. For more information please contact the Drug Demand Reduction Program office at 316-759-6269. Please take time to review all the events going on around our base, enjoy the beautiful weather we have been having, and be safe. Thank you for all that you do. Col C · Oct. 21 - AMC Icon Finals Broadcast, 7 p.m. at Signatures Lounge · Oct. 22 - Quarterly Awards Ceremony, 3 p.m. at Dole Center Ballroom · Oct. 23 - McConnell Cycle/Run Challenge · Oct. 23 - Retiree Appreciation Day · Oct. 27 - Look Who's Talking... or Not, 7:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Base Theater (Mandatory) · Oct. 28 - ALS Graduation, 6 p.m. at Dole Center Ballroom · Oct. 29 - 3rd Annual Prescription Amnesty Turn In · Oct. 29 - Promotion Ceremony and Celebration, 3 p.m. at Dole Center · Oct. 29 - MDG Haunted Hallway, 4-5 p.m. at 22nd Medical Group clinic · Oct. 29- Neewollah Ball, 6:30-10 p.m. at Youth Center · Oct. 30 - Base Housing Trick or Treating · Oct. 30 - Scary Movie Night-Double Feature, 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. at Storm Cellar · Oct. 31 - Halloween Brunch, 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Deb's (Rsvp by 28 Oct.) Wing Fun Run: Oct. 21 at 3:30 p.m., start and finish at the base track. Run path will follow the Krueger Recreational Area trail. Military, family and civilians are welcome to participate in appropriate Physical Training gear, Air Force or civilian. For more information and map, please visit the wing calendar. Point of Contact: Master Sgt. Jeremy Hughes 316-759-4535. AMC Icon Command Finals Live Broadcast: Oct. 21 from 7-9 p.m. in Signatures Lounge join us to support McConnell Icon winner Brenda Johnson and watch the AMC Icon Command Finals live from Scott AFB. There will be bar snacks from 6 -7 p.m. Free for club members and $3 for non-members. Call 316-759-6002 for more information. McConnell Cycle/Run Challenge: Do you bike or run? If so, join us Oct. 23 for a 'Duathlon' - 24.8 mile bike ride and a 10K run, or compete in just one event. Cyclists' show time is 7:30 a.m. at the Health and wellness center parking lot and runners show at 9:30 a.m. in the track parking lot. Challenge is open to all Team McConnell individuals. Register at the Fitness Center. Twelve dollar entry fee for one or both events - includes lunch and medals. Entrants must provide own gear and equipment. For Rules of Engagement, route and more information, please visit the wing calendar, Fitness Center or contact SMSgt Jeremy Kitzhaber 316-759-5500 to volunteer. Texas Hold'em Club: Calling all card sharks, Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Storm Cellar, join the 10-week tournament. Enter any week and play for your seat in the championship tournament, Jan. 15. No sign-up necessary. Blinds go up every 15 minutes. Top three weekly winners receive cool prizes, and top five weekly winners get a seat in the championship tournament. Champion wins a two-day trip for two to Las Vegas. Entry fee is $5 for Non-Club Members. Club members play free. Wait staff will be serving food from the bar menu and cheap drink specials. For more information or to receive the Texas Hold'em Club game schedule, please contact the "Pit Boss", 2nd Lt. Michael Adams 316-759-2302. Look Who's Talking... or Not: Oct. 27 at 7:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the base theater. This 90 minute, fun presentation by a nationally-recognized speaker on communication strategies is Mandatory for all active duty. Civilians and dependents are encouraged as well - bring your significant other. Intergenerational speaker and humorist, Meagan Johnson, will dazzle you with her wit and wisdom. Learn how and why the boomers and Gen-Xers see things a little differently. Along with interpersonal communication expert, Larry Johnson, they will help you learn how men and women can decipher the relationship code. POC: Ms. Alisa Norlin 316-759-4325. ALS Graduation: Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. in the Dole Center Ballroom. Class 10-G welcomes guest speaker, Chief Master Sgt. William McCune. POC: Staff Sgt. Coriano at 316-759-4257. 3rd Annual Prescription Amnesty Turn In: Oct. 29, in partnership with DDRP, Office of Special Investigations and Security Forces Squadron will visit worksites on base to allow Team McConnell members an opportunity to turn in expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for safe, legal and environmentally friendly disposal--no questions asked. All you need to do is bring in your old pill/liquid prescriptions, no sharps or inhalers. Law enforcement will be visiting worksites on, Oct. 29 according to the schedule below: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. - Medical Group 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. - Mission Support Group 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. - Maintenance Group 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. - Operations Group 4:30 - approx 6:00 p.m. - Dorms Promotion Ceremony & Celebration: Oct. 29 at 3 p.m. in the Dole Center, come support our new promotes and award winners. Then congratulate your teammates while celebrating the end of another successful month at the Storm Cellar from 4 - 5 p.m. MDG Haunted Hallway: Oct. 29 from 4 - 5 p.m. at the 22nd MDG clinic, 57950 Leavenworth Ave. This is a safe and fun way for children to "trick or treat" and show off their costumes. This event is open to the wing for all children ages 10 and under. We look forward to seeing you there. POC: Tech Sgt. Mary Nelson Neewollah Ball: Oct. 29 from 6:30 - 10 p.m. at the Youth Center there will be food, crafts, entertainment, costume contest, games, prizes and fun, fun, fun. Cost is $5 per person. Ages 3 and under are free. For more information, please visit the wing calendar or contact the youth center at 316-759-4070. Scary Movie Night-Double Feature: Oct. 31 from 8:30 p. m. - 1 a.m. at the Storm Cellar Patio, the Club and Outdoor Recreation present a free double feature. The original "Nightmare on Elm Street" and "War of the Worlds" will be shown on the giant inflatable screen, projector inside if bad weather. Food and beverage specials will be available. Both movies are rated at PG-13, however, patrons under 18 must be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian due to the bar being open. Call 316-759-4435 or 316-759-4330 for more information. Halloween Brunch: Oct. 31 from 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Deb's Café, Club brunch is Back. Halloween Brunch includes omelet and waffle bar and a kids' costume contest. Cost for club members is $15.95 for adults, $7.95 for kids ages 3-12; non-members $17.95 & $9.95. Kids under three eat free. Call 316-759-6002 for reservations by Oct. 28. Forms & Pubs Training: Nov 4 and 5, from 9 - 11 a.m. in building 522, the base publishing office will be providing forms and pubs training to anyone that desires POC/OPR training. POCs: Tech Sgt. Jamie Vancise 316-759-5738 and Airman 1st Class Cholrak Delgandio 316-759-6762.