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  • Airman puts MX skills to use on motocross track

    MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – He ran the motorcycle through a five-foot pool of water, wrecking the bike; everything he had worked for all his life seemed to be over. Staff Sgt. Thomas Tangedal, 22nd Maintenance Squadron aircraft metal technology journeyman, was completing a practice run on a

  • Equipped to refuel: AFE saves lives

    The 22nd Operations Support Squadron Aircrew Flight Equipment Airmen provide and maintain safety and survival gear for aircrew and aircraft here to allow aircrews to have confidence in their equipment.

  • Family reunites after four years apart

    MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.— Four years — that’s how long he waited.Airman 1st Class Messan Atayi, 22nd Logistics Readiness Squadron Individual Protective Equipment journeyman, moved to the United States from Togolese Republic, Africa, in 2013, leaving behind his pregnant wife. He met his

  • The Air Bridge: Connecting to civic neighbors

    (This story is part of a series to highlight McConnell AFB honorary commanders and their impact on the base and the community.)Editor’s Note: The Honorary Commander Program is designed to bring the base closer to our civilian counterparts in Wichita and the surrounding communities. Honorary

  • A chief’s foundation: Faith, family, mentorship

    MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – Thirty feet up in the air, clinging to a utility pole, was a brand-new Airman crying out for help. He was panicked and insistent that he was going to fall.An instructor stared up at him from the ground and sighed. This was the sergeant’s first day as a technical

  • The Air Bridge: Connecting to civic neighbors

    The Honorary Commander program is designed to bring the base closer to our civilian counterparts in Wichita, Kansas, and other surrounding communities.Honorary commanders can be doctors, business owners, mayors, professors, police chiefs or others that are well respected in their respective fields

  • Therapy dogs visit dorm residents

    MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.— Airmen’s squeals of excitement could be heard outside the dorms as they first noticed the group of four therapy dogs that visited to provide them with some much-needed puppy love and slobbery kisses.Teresa Eftink, 22nd Comptroller Squadron civilian payroll and

  • A call for help, saves a life

    After hearing a call for help from a side office, Airmen from the 22nd Maintenance Group sprang into action and ultimately saved the life of the member.   Brian Hansen, 22nd Maintenance Operations Flight engine manager, sat down to eat lunch April 20, when he felt a sharp pain in his chest.   The

  • Boom’s experience drives passion for instructing

    In the military, every situation can be used as learning experience. For boom operators that holds especially true.After completing specialized training to become instructors, they are qualified to train the next generation of booms. “I like instructing and teaching,” said Staff Sgt. Lane Nunier,

  • Building cars, building Airmen

    “He smoked Marlboro Reds—cowboy killers,” said Master Sgt. Bobby McCrary, illustrating his grandfather. McCrary, 22nd Force Support Squadron NCO in-charge of Honor Guard, grew up going to car shows and swap meets with his grandfather, who rebuilt classic cars. They would travel up and down the state