Fabrication flight Airmen touch up statics

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  After more than 10 years, Airmen from the 22nd Maintenance Squadron Fabrication Flight began repainting the KC-135 Stratotanker and B-47 Stratojet static displays, two of the three aircraft displayed at McConnell's Air Park.

The repainting, which began June 7 and is scheduled to conclude at the end of the month, required 10 Airmen from the fabrication flight, volunteers from the 22nd Communications Squadron, 22nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, 384th Air Refueling Squadron, and 90 gallons of paint.

Despite logistical challenges presented by the height of the aircraft and environmental challenges presented by recent rainfall, maintenance on the aircraft, which is displayed parallel to Rock Road where the community can view it too, remains top priority to the Airmen.

"With the amount of rain we've had lately, it's been difficult to finish the repainting, but it's important that we do because this display represents McConnell to the [community]," said Staff Sgt. Brian Ball, 22nd MXS fabrication aircraft structural craftsman.

Of the two static aircraft repainted, the KC-135, nicknamed the "City of Renton," is one of the first of 820 C-135 airframes to complete it first flight at Boeing's Renton Field runway, Aug. 31, 1956.

The opportunity to help preserve a piece of Air Force history was not lost on the Airmen.

"The KC-135 and the B-47 static display are reflections of the Air Force's pride in its history and heritage," said Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Stipanuk, 22nd MXS fabrication flight superintendent. "Therefore, static displays must be carefully maintained."

In addition to repairing and maintaining aircraft parts for all McConnell aircraft assigned to the base, the Airmen of the 22nd MXS fabrication flight are the appointed historical custodians for McConnell's Air Park, according to the criteria prescribed in AFI 84-103, U.S. Air Force Heritage Program.