McConnell's neighbors imperative to Airmen safety, base mission

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tara Fadenrecht
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Thousands of people from numerous units on base keep KC-135 Stratotankers in the air every day, but landowners around the base play just as vital of a role.

The landowner program, which was established in 2007, develops and fosters strong relationships with local property owners surrounding the base to assist the Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard program and keep the refueling mission flying.

"The birds and planes don't stop at the fence and neither do we," said Lauren Caister 22nd Air Refueling Wing BASH program manager. "That's where the landowners come in. Without [their] assistance and approval, we wouldn't be able to go out there and do what we do."

Neighbors who are part of the program allow a trained Border Collie and handler to scare away large birds and flocks from their properties and out of the way of aircraft coming to and from the base.

As part of the program, 22nd ARW hosted the annual Landowner's Appreciation dinner Dec. 3, and welcomed 20 of the base's neighbors to tour facilities and learn more about the mission, Airmen and BASH program here.

Carolyn Carter, a landowner who has been part of the base's program for eight years, attended the dinner, and said she and her husband love being a neighbor of McConnell and playing an important part in helping keep Airmen safe.

Thanks in part to the landowner program and growing support from the local community, McConnell Airmen will continue to spread global air power safely and efficiently.