Another McConnell reserve unit unfurls its flag
By Senior Airman Preston Webb, 931st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
/ Published June 04, 2016
MCCONNELL AFB, Kansas -- The 931st Maintenance Group held an activation and assumption of command ceremony, in which Col. Heath Fowler took command of the unit, in Hangar 1107 June 4, 2016.
Fowler came to the unit from the Aircraft Maintenance Division, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, where he served as the deputy commander. Fowler’s support of operations Provide Promise, Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom across several airframes led Col. Mark S. Larson, 931st Air Refueling Group commander, to select Fowler as the first commander of the 931 MXG.
“It’s an exciting time to be a member of the 931 ARW and Team McConnell. We’re going to have many changes and challenges in the coming months and years,” Fowler said. “However, those challenges will be accompanied by 200 additional personnel and a new airframe. Even though we’re training these new personnel on a new airframe, we can’t stop supporting our existing mission.”
931 MXG Citizen Airmen aid their active-duty counterparts, the 22nd Maintenance Group, through vital contributions to the global mission of McConnell AFB.
The 931 MXG shares responsibilities with the 22 MXG for maintenance of their KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft. The Total Force team will also be responsible for maintaining the KC-46 Pegasus.
“The 931 MXG has a powerful and relentless team that always seems to get the job done,” Larson said. “What’s more impressive is their doing so with a largely pert-time force.”
The activation reflected the 931st Air Refueling Wing’s recent re-designation by signifying increased responsibilities and capabilities, people and assets of the 931 MXG's citizen Airmen.
“Your hard work and dedication, combined with those of our partners in the 22nd ARW, have kept these [KC-135R Stratotanker] Aircraft flying,” Larson said. “I dabble in vintage cars so, between parts and maintenance, I know what it takes just to keep a 60-year-old vehicle moving. Believe me, it’s no small task that we keep these 60-year-old aircraft flying in missions around the world, ready to go at a moment’s notice.”
Total Force Integration between the 931 ARW and 22 ARW has allowed the units to generate more than 11,000 sorties though 6,000 home-station hours and 2,000 deployed-combat hours during the past several years.
“We have a lot to look forward to,” Fowler said. “I challenge each Airman in the group to be ready to face our upcoming obstacles when we’re called upon.”
Historical roots for ceremonies such as activations, re-designations, assumptions of command, and changes of command date back to Frederick the Great of Prussia to provide armies the opportunity to see their commander and witness changes to their unit. The United States first used these ceremonies in the Continental Army.