FTAC Airmen soar sky-high, learn base’s mission

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Airman Christopher Sibley, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, looks at the cockpit of a KC-135 Stratotanker during a refueling mission Dec. 11. Twenty three Airmen were aboard the flight to witness McConnell’s refueling mission and gain a better understanding of how their individual career fields enable that mission. (Photo by Senior Airman Laura Suttles)

FTAC Airmen soar sky-high, learn base’s mission

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – Airman Sean Richardson, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, photographs a refueling mission while abaord a KC-135 Stratotanker, Dec. 11, during an incentive flight for Airmen from the First Term Airmen Center. The tanker refueled a B-52 Stratofortress and a B-2 Spirit during the mission.(Photo by Senior Airman Laura Suttles)

FTAC Airmen soar sky-high, learn base’s mission

Published Dec. 17, 2008
By Senior Airman Laura Suttles
22nd AIr Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- A group of 23 Airmen from McConnell's First Term Airman's Center participate in a KC-135 Stratotanker flight, Dec.11, to learn about McConnell's primary mission of aerial refueling.

Upon taking command of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing in February, Col. James Vechery instituted a new program at McConnell that ensures all first-term Airmen receive an incentive flight in a KC-135 Stratotanker.

This program was created so new Airmen could understand how every career field at McConnell is vital to the refueling mission. Another goal of the program is to emphasize how McConnell couldn't sustain its mission objectives without this variety of careers impacting day-to-day operations, helping get tankers off the ground.

"It's been running pretty smoothly so far," said Tech. Sgt. Brandon Swalla, FTAC instructor. "I think the Airmen get an up-close feel for McConnell's mission."

To date, 160 FTAC Airmen have flown on these missions.

On this particular refueling mission of a B-52 Stratofortress and B-2 Spirit, Airmen met at building 1186, home of the 349th Air Refueling Squadron, where aircrew members briefed them about what would take place on the flight. They also learned how McConnell's mission allows fuel-receiving aircraft to provide combat support, and transport cargo and passengers across the world.

This was the first tanker flight for many Airmen including Airman 1st Class Chigbo Nzoiwu, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

"I looked forward to seeing the boom pod, it looked tricky," said Airman Nzoiwu. "I was grateful to be there."

A majority of the Airmen on this flight are 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron members whose roles in preserve the operational capability of the tankers on a daily basis.

For more information on this program, please contact Tech. Sgt. Brandon Swalla, head FTAC instructor, at 759-3451.