Commander speaks about upcoming events

  • Published
  • By Col. Jamie Crowhurst
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Team McConnell (Airpower!!!),

Our wing is blazing right now (just like our summer temperatures) and we're zipping through our change of command season. Yesterday, we welcomed Maj. Amy Harshner as our new 22nd Contracting Squadron commander and today, Lt. Col. George "Dutch" Dietrich will hand the reigns of the 22nd Logistics Readiness Squadron over to Lt. Col. John O'Connor.

Wednesday we wrapped up our final session of Operation Air Force and over both sessions you helped provide sixteen Air Force Academy cadets a working level view of our Air Force. For many cadets, this is their only opportunity to get an idea of how a wing operates and you did a fantastic job showcasing our Superior Warfighter Support.

My thanks to Lt. Col. Bill Stowe and his team for an outstanding job providing our cadets a first class experience. Last Thursday our 22nd Maintenance Group also did a super job showcasing our wing when they hosted our Honorary Commanders. (McConnell Web site, Facebook)They provided great hands-on activity to our downtown partners that gave them a firsthand look at the challenge of maintaining our KC-135 Stratotanker fleet ... again, super job 22nd MXG.

Also, we finished up last week recognizing our quarterly award winners. (McConnell Web Site) Congratulations to these fine Airmen for their outstanding performance from April through June:

Airman - Senior Airman Tina Girdano, 22nd Medical Support Squadron
Noncommissioned Officer - Tech. Sgt. Cesar Flores, 384th Air Refueling Squadron
Senior Noncommissioned Officer - Senior Master Sgt. Charles Jetton, 384th Air Refueling Squadron
Company Grade Officer - Capt. Gabe Arrington, 344th Air Refueling Squadron
Honor Guard - Airman 1st Class Noah Briggs, 22nd Maintenance Squadron
Civilian Category I - Vickie Hayden, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
Civilian Category II - Robert Clapp, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Safety Office

Finally, today at 3 p.m. we get a chance to recognize several teammates as they get new stripes tacked on ... come out and congratulate them and then stick around and celebrate their promotions.

Col C

· Unit Climate Assessment
· Family Advocacy Needs Assessment
· 30 Jul - Family Night
· 2 Aug - Happy Hour w/Bernie McGrenahan
· 3 Aug - Boot Camp (Every Tuesday 7am & Thursday 3:30pm in August)
· 5 Aug - Big For A Day
· 6 Aug - SNCO Induction Ceremony
· 12 Aug - Sports Physical Night
· 13 Aug - AMC Icon (Sign-up NLT Aug 9)


Dress and Appearance: Here is a link to the newly opened Dress and Appearance Standards Website: http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/dress/index.asp. Check it out - it's a useful tool and a good quick reference.

Unit Climate Assessment: This Wing-wide survey provides you an opportunity to express your thoughts, opinions, and feelings regarding your organization's overall health. If you haven't already done so, please take the time to complete this survey by Aug. 15, click here for assessment. An ACCESS CODE is required and is different for each unit. Although demographic information ensures proper representation, the survey is anonymous and to further protect your anonymity, when there are less than six respondents within a demographic area, individual responses will not be reported. If you have questions/concerns or don't know your access code, please call Equal Opportunity Office at 759-3310.

Family Advocacy Needs Assessment: The Medical Group would like to better serve you. Please take the time to complete this short survey by Aug. 12, click here for the survey. Thank you. Questions, please contact Family Advocacy 759-5768.

Blood Drive: Friday, July 30, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Robert J. Dole Comunity Center gym. Everyone is highly encouraged to volunteer &/or give blood. FREE FOOD provided at the cantina. Walk-ins are welcome, but if you want to avoid long waits, please call 268-0835 or go to www.givelife.org (code: MAF) to schedule your appointment. For more information, flyers and volunteer signup sheet, please call 1st Lt. Carrie Kerner 759-2976.

Family Night: Friday, July 30, in the Robert J. Dole Community Center ballroom. From 5 to 7 p.m., enjoy "build your own sandwiches," sides and desserts, inflatables and games. Then at 7 p.m., play 10 games of bingo. Entry fee is just $5 per person (children ages 3 and under get in free). For more information, please call Fe Vorderlandwehr at 759-6023.

Happy Hour w/Bernie McGrenahan: Monday, Aug. 2, in the Robert J. Dole Community Center ballroom, the McConnell Integrated Delivery System is hosting two showings of Bernie's very unique Comedy Show.

Live show times are 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. and if you're 25 or under you can't miss this funny guy. He's a nationally recognized stand-up comic with a great message for all of us and parents that would like to attend with their 16 year or older kids are welcome as well. It will be a packed house so arrive early. (McConnell Web site)

Boot Camp: Every Tuesday and Thursday in August, the Health and Wellness Center is teaching "An Instructional Know How" to run your own Boot Camp (Tuesdays, 7 a.m., at base track and Thursdays, 3:30 p.m., in big gym). These classes are free and open to anyone 18 and older - highly encouraged for all CC's, Shirts, Chiefs and PTL's. Participants must sign up at the HAWC and are limited to attending only one class. For more information call the HAWC x6024.

Big-For-A-Day: Thursday, Aug. 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hangar 1107 and Krueger Recreational Area, the 349th Air Refueling Squadron is hosting "Big-for-a-Day." This is a once a year opportunity to mentor a youth from our local community and show your support for Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

For more information, contact 1st Lt. Jason Steinlicht at 759-6458 or 2nd Lt. Seth Ehrlich at 759-4304.

2010 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Induction Ceremony: Friday, Aug. 6, ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. (5:30 social) in the Robert J. Dole Community Center ballroom. For more details click here. Questions, please contact Master Sgt. Yolanda Schafer at 759-4336 or Master Sgt. Kelly Pearson at 759-3687.

School Sports Physical Night: Thursday, Aug. 12, from 4:15 to 6 p.m. at the 22nd Medical Group. Please call 759-6300 to schedule an appointment. Open to all TRICARE Prime enrollees ages 6 to 18 years (not for daycare, preschool or kindergarten physicals or those with chronic conditions). Bring Shot records and all required forms (completed: http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/PDF/FORM-PPE.pdf). For more information, please contact Tech. Sgt. Tiffany Shaffer at 759-5618.

AMC Icon 2010: Friday, Aug. 13, 6 p.m. at the Robert J. Dole Community Center ballroom. Watch McConnell's best singers vie for the chance to represent McConnell at the command finals on Oct. 21 at Air Mobility Command Headquarters, Scott AFB.

This American Idol-style competition is open to active duty, family members and civilian employees 18 and older. Family members and civilians can win the base-level contest only.

The top-finishing active duty Air Force member will represent McConnell at command finals. Sign up no later than Aug. 9. For more information call 759-6023.