McConnell wins AMC 2019 Welsh Award Published Feb. 22, 2019 By Airman 1st Class Alexi Myrick 22 Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Team McConnell was awarded Air Mobility Command's winner of the 2019 Gen. Mark Welsh III “One Air Force” Award on Jan. 30, 2019. This award recognizes a team that has demonstrated improved effectiveness through two or more total force components. These total force components include Active-Duty, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, civilian workforce and Civil Air Patrol. Using all of these components has improved McConnell’s mission through integrated readiness. “The Airmen of McConnell consistently demonstrate a culture of excellence, and it’s an incredible honor that we are able to recognize their work over the past year,” said Col. Josh Olson, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander. The 22nd ARW’s Commander’s Action Group, put together a package of McConnell’s 40 greatest accomplishments in order to give our total force team recognition for all the work they accomplished in 2018. In 2018, McConnell was nominated as one of two Air Force installations for the Commander in Chief’s Installation Excellence Award, which involves an inspection and showing what the base has to offer Airmen. The base also won the Air Mobility Command Strategic Communication Award by utilizing national news and social media to reach over two million people worldwide. “I’m proud that the 931st Kanza Warriors are integrally woven into the 6,200 active duty, Air Guard, Reserve Citizen Airmen, civilians as well as their families that comprise Team McConnell,” said Col. Phil Heseltine, 931st ARW commander. McConnell’s total force team led multiple KC-46A Pegasus qualification procedures, put on an airshow with a reach of 110,000 visitors and engineered a rapid KC-46 water system that increased the launch speed by 90 percent. According to the citation that accompanied the award, Team McConnell distinguished itself across AMC by displaying exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States in direct support of combat operations from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018. The citation also states, during this period, Team McConnell accomplished its wartime mission while preparing to beddown the KC-46A. McConnell delivered intel, operations, maintenance, medical and mission support enabling 40 percent of all KC-135 global reach operations. "We are excited to be a part of such an exceptional team at McConnell," said Col. Michael Venerdi, 184th Intelligence Wing commander. "This is a well-deserved award, and we couldn't be more excited for Team McConnell."