• 2017 Landowner Appreciation Flight

    John Betzen, a local landowner, takes a photo through the window of a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. May 10, 2017, while flying over Colorado. A Landowner Appreciation Flight is held annually to show local landowners who are part of the Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike

  • Rapid global mobility sustains airpower 24/7, 365

    At any moment, Airmen and aircraft can be tasked to deploy to support rapid global mobility operations both at home and abroad.On April 19, the 22nd Air Refueling Wing received a tasking order to prepare for a short-notice deployment in support of Operation Noble Eagle.The operation is an extensive

  • 60 year old tankers enable first F-35 European deployment

    History happened April 14 as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Lightening II deployed to Europe for the first time carried by the backbone of the aerial refueling fleet, the KC-135 Stratotanker.   “The mission of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing is to refuel the fight,” said Col. Albert Miller, 22nd ARW

  • First Assignment Instructor Pilots visit McConnell

    Nineteen First Assignment Instructor Pilots visited McConnell Air Force Base, April 2.The FAIPs, currently stationed at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, as T-1 Jayhawk instructor pilots, made the trip to get a closer look at the KC-135 Stratotanker and learn about the base mission before they

  • McConnell KC-135 Stratotanker refuels Thunderbirds

    Three F-16 Fighting Falcons fly in formation after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., Feb. 3, 2017, en route to Houston, Texas. The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, will be performing a flyover during the 2017 Super Bowl.

  • Hydraulics Airmen taking care of business

    Airman 1st Class Sherman Purnell, 22nd Maintenance Squadron hydraulics specialist, removes a spoiler bypass valve Oct. 13, 2016, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. Spoiler bypass valves allow the operation of a KC-135 Stratotanker’s speed brakes to increase drag and safely decrease speed. (U.S. Air

  • KC-135 celebrates 60 years

    On Aug. 31, 1956, “Heartbreak Hotel,” was on the radio and the KC-135 Stratotanker was heard for the first time during its maiden flight. More than 250 people gathered 60 years later to celebrate the KC-135 as it reached its diamond anniversary, Aug. 31, at the McConnell Air Park. The event included

  • Tanker Tracker: KC-135 year-in-review

    Since August 2015, KC-135 Stratotanker, tail number 58-0011, has taken part in missions out  of McConnell and deployed locations across the globe. It has completed two deployments, locking down 126 sorties and off-loading 2.08M pounds of fuel to 137 receiving aircraft.  The missions this specific