• Crew chiefs keep the mission on track

    The windshield was simply refusing to cooperate.As the KC-135 Stratotanker approached San Antonio the aircraft commander's windshield began to fog. The window heater was on as evidenced by the co-pilot's clear view of the city below.While the aircrew ran checklists and checked the circuit breakers,

  • A final salute to a fallen warrior

    As the vehicle carrying Capt. Mark Voss passes, pilots and boom operators from the 18th Air Refueling Squadron, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., join with service members and civilians of the Joint Base San Antonio and San Antonio community as they line the streets to honor the fallen KC-135

  • West runway nears completion

    The West runway is tentatively scheduled for reopening May 30, 2013, after nearly a year and a half of reconstruction and upgrades.The runway, which was more than 20 years old, received approximately $46 million worth of renovations during the construction, including new lights, an instrument

  • Reserve tanker crews help Galaxy pilots progress

    Reservists from the 18th Air Refueling Squadron here are contributing to the future of Air Force mobility.Since November, the 18th ARS, the 931st Air Refueling Group's only flying squadron, has provided aerial refueling support for student pilots during seven of the last 10 of business efforts for

  • McConnell AFB leadership backs civilian workforce amidst sequestration

    More than 500 McConnell Air Force Base civilians attended a commander's call here March 13, to learn more about civilian furloughs that are scheduled to begin April 26. Col. Ricky Rupp, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander, held the all-call to share the latest information regarding sequestration and

  • Refueling tax refunds

    With tax season here, the McConnell Tax Center is again opening its doors to assist military members and eligible family members, reservists and retirees prepare their income tax returns. Sponsored by the staff judge advocate, the tax center offers free advice, assistance, preparation and electronic

  • MSG showcases quality-of-life

    As part of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing's endeavor to attain the 2013 Commander in Chief's Installation Excellence Award, a team of inspectors led by Maj. Gen. Timothy Byers, the U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer, visited McConnell Airmen, Jan. 7-8, 2013.Col. John Kubinec, 377th Air Base Wing commander,

  • Byers tours McConnell's 'three rocks'

    On Jan. 6, the 2013 Commander in Chief's Installation Excellence Award assessment team landed in Wichita, Kan., and began their visit. The CINC IE Award is a Department of Defense annual award given to the best installation in each military service along with a $1 million prize for quality of life

  • CINC IEA team visits McConnell AFB

    For two days, McConnell AFB highlighted its hard work and dedication to the mission from the past year to a four-man assessment team from across the Air Force.The base is competing for the coveted 2013 Commander in Chief's Installation Excellence Award and was visited by the assessment team Jan. 7

  • Total Force effort leads to 2013 AMC Verne Orr Award win for Team McConnell

    A combined effort from the active duty 22nd Operations Support Squadron and the reserve 931st Operations Support Squadron has led to a major command level award for Team McConnell.McConnell AFB was selected as the Air Mobility Command  winner for the 2013 Verne Orr Award. The Verne Orr Award was