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  • McConnell continues to SOAR

    There are 396 KC-135 Stratotankers managed by the Air Mobility Command. The KC-135 community supports worldwide missions, enabling global reach across a full spectrum of mission activity.

  • Wichitalks: Airman talks resiliency with community

    When Senior Airman Tevin Manuel, 22nd Communications Squadron mission defense team operator, joined Air Force he had his sights set on making a difference. Manuel grew up in Jackson, Tennessee, and earned his bachelor’s degree in political science. He joined the Air Force in September 2015 with the

  • Mission Complete: Wingman’s search helps bring Airmen home after 45 years

    “I will never leave an Airman behind.” The words are part of the Airmen’s creed; seven words form a contract sealed in combat; but for retired Col. Edward Sykes, it was a driving force in a 45-year search for his roommate, multiple trips back to Asia and a discovery that culminates next month with a

  • Airman’s rough road strengthens resiliency in self, others

    MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.— “I had an average life. There was nothing dramatic about it — or so I thought.”EARLY YEARSMaster Sgt. Ieaka Olmstead, 22nd Operations Support Squadron host aviation resource management superintendent, grew up in Georgia with a mother battling a mental illness. When

  • McConnell Airman helps locate Vietnam War MIAs

    MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.— It’s Jan. 29, 1969. Maj. Campbell and Capt. Holton are flying in their F-4 Phantom II during an armed reconnaissance mission in Laos. After spotting an enemy supply truck, they roll in for the attack. It’s suspected that the aircraft was hit by ground fire and crashed

  • Airman uses psychology work to help other Airmen, community

    MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.— One McConnell boom operator has made it her mission to improve the mental health of her fellow Airmen and members of the local community.Tech. Sgt. Chelsey Thornhill is a 350th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator currently acting as 22nd Air Refueling Wing Complaints

  • Hitting the right notes: Singing boom operator inspires others

    MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.— Growing up in a poverty-stricken, single-parent family, he used singing as a kind of therapy.Airman 1st Class Julian Awari, 349th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, was only 6 when he first realized he had a talent for singing, and it was a hobby he would stick

  • The dawn of the future starts in the past

    Wing historians are responsible for collecting, documenting and writing historical reports for the units they are assigned. They capture significant accomplishments and challenges experienced by the units which help commanders make future decisions.

  • Heart to heart: Air Force steps up to help Airman’s family

    MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.— Five days after their baby was born in 2011, they realized something was wrong. When they took her back to the hospital, they found out they were in for a long, rough road ahead.“They quickly rushed us over to the neonatal intensive care unit, and we met with a