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  • Airman 1st Class Kahn Jaime, left, Tech. Sgt. Braulio Coriano, center, and Airman 1st Class Dawei Yang, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Airmen pose for a photo, April 3, 2015, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. The 22nd AMXS is an example of the diversity that can be seen throughout the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tara Fadenrecht)

    McConnell maintainers find value in diversity

    (Editor's note: This is one article in a series about the diverse climate at McConnell Air Force Base)McConnell employs more than 3,000 Airmen from various ethnicities, cultures and backgrounds and the 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron uses more than 700 Airmen who exemplify that diversity to refuel airpower 24/7, 365 days a year.Lt. Col.
  • Then Tech. Sgt. Nichol Williams, 22nd Force Support Squadron readiness NCO, poses with her husband, Tech. Sgt. Terrance Williams, 22nd FSS Honor Guard NCO in charge, while deployed to Iraq in 2009. (Courtesy photo)

    McConnell Couples: Togetherness through strength

    Then-Senior Airman Nichol Graham was working her night shift at the Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, billeting when a rather young looking Airman walked into the lobby.There were no stripes on the man's sleeves, so Nichol quickly stood up and popped to attention before she noticed that there was nothing on his collar, either. The airman basic who
  • Connie Palacioz, who worked at the Wichita Boeing B-29 Superfortress plant from 1943 until 1945, becomes emotional at a Wichita, Kansas B-29 rollout ceremony March 23, 2015. Palacioz worked to help restore the aircraft for the last 15 years and installed the original rivets for the pilot section in the 1940s. She began to cry thinking of all the other "Rosie the Riveters" she worked with who could not be there that day, the 90-year-old said. (U.S. Air Force Photo by 1st Lt. Jessica Brown)

    A Rosie by another name would still rivet just as sweet

    Connie Palacioz heard a radio announcement a week before graduating high school in 1943 that changed her fate forever."I heard they needed women workers for the war effort. I went and applied at the job opportunity office," she said. "They said we could go work for Boeing, but we had to go to a school first."Palacioz arrived at the Orpheum Theatre
  • Senior Master Sgt. Keena Bassi, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, speaks to a master sergeant in her unit, March 23, 2015, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. Bassi is one of the senior ranking Airmen at McConnell, and serves as the first sergeant for one of the largest squadrons in the Air Force. (Courtesy photo)

    Women’s History Month: ‘You can do anything you want’

    Keena Bassi wanted to be a mechanic in the Air Force. She was given an open mechanical billet when she left for Basic Military Training, and put several different mechanical jobs on her "dream" sheet.Much to her surprise, the job that Bassi received was for vehicle dispatch; a far cry from the trade she desired. When her group commander
  • Jerry Lucas, 22nd Logistics Readiness Squadron individual protective equipment supervisor, swings a sledgehammer at a wall as part of the formal beginning demolition of Building 1090, March 5, 2015, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. Lucas worked as an enlisted Airman in the building when he first joined the Air Force in 1978 and had been working there again as a civilian. The building is being torn down to make way for construction of more modern structures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victor J. Caputo)

    Out with the old

    How many people have wanted to take a sledgehammer to the walls of the building they work in?Jerry Lucas had the chance to see the building he worked at for many years start to come down to make room for a new development.Lucas is a 22nd Logistics Readiness Squadron individual protective equipment supervisor. He started his Air Force career as an
  • Col. Joel Jackson, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander, presents the Accredited Agency Award to Charles Hutson, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief, Aug. 27, 2014, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. McConnell’s Fire and Emergency Services Flight earned its accreditation, Aug. 13, 2014, from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class David Bernal Del Agua)

    Fire chief celebrates 50 years of service

    In the midst of an increasing American presence in the Vietnam War, he was attending community college while playing football and baseball on a scholarship. Before he finished his degree, he dropped everything and joined the U.S. Air Force."I knew the draft notice was coming," said retired Master Sgt. Charles Hutson Jr. "I didn't want to fight a
  • Capt. Dawn Clauson, 99th Medical Operations Squadron pediatric clinic nurse manager, poses with her son, Airman 1st Class David Clauson, 22nd Aerospace Medical Squadron medical technician, during his Basic Military Training graduation in 2011, at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. Dawn commissioned in 2006, and four of her six children have also joined Air Force. (Courtesy photo)

    Mother's career inspires Airman

    Many Airmen count their family members among the most influential people in their lives.For Senior Airman David Clauson, this is especially true: the 22nd Aerospace Medical Squadron medical technician's father is an Air Force veteran, three of his five brothers are serving or have served as Airmen, and both of his grandfathers and a
  • McConnell’s Tax Center is a free service aimed to provide the best tax return experience for members of Team McConnell. The personnel at the Tax Center know all of the benefits for service members to make sure customers receive the most from their tax return. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Airman 1st Class Christopher Thornbury)

    McConnell's tax center brings millions back

    McConnell's Tax Center provides a free tax filing service for military members and their families, retirees and civilians on base and has brought in an excess of $2.1 M.Airmen volunteers and contractors who are specifically trained to handle military personnel related tax inquiries offer this service."Not all tax agencies know the rights that

  • 350th Air Refueling Squadron Airman earns spotlight performer

    As a spotlight performer, individuals are chosen by leadership for demonstrating the Air Force's Core Values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.Senior Airman Ben Sedlacek, 350th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, was selected as the spotlight performer for the week of March 1 - 7.Sedlacek, a Gretna, Nebraska

  • 22nd Medical Group Airman earns spotlight performer

    As a spotlight performer, individuals are chosen by leadership for demonstrating the Air Force's Core Values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.Barbara Blake, 22nd Medical Readiness Flight medical emergency manager, was selected as the spotlight performer for the week of Feb. 22 - 28.Blake, a Derby, Kansas native,
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