MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- The 931st Operations Group stood up the first squadron in the Air Force dedicated to the KC-46A Pegasus in an official ceremony here, April 2, 2017.
The standup of the 924th Air Refueling Squadron included an assumption of command ceremony by incoming commander Lt. Col. Terry McGee, formerly of the 18th Air Refueling Squadron. McGee is the first commander of the 924 ARS since the unit was officially deactivated at Castle Air Force Base, Calif., in 1992.
Unlike its previous mission a Castle AFB, which focused primarily on KC-135R Stratotankers, the 924 ARS at McConnell will focus solely on the KC-46. The standup of the 924 ARS is part of the 931 OG’s growth after being established as a group last year. The 931 OG commander, Col. Caroline Evernham, spoke at the ceremony about what led her to choose McGee for the job as the commander of the Air Force’s first KC-46 Squadron.
“Since the beginning, Lt Col McGee was concerned with how to take care of his people - the manning, training, pay and administration; I have been very impressed by his focus,” she said.
McGee
After unfurling the flag and assuming command of his new unit, McGee thanked his family and Evernham for selecting him for his new role in the future of worldwide aerial refueling
He also thanked the Airmen now under his command, expressing his excitement for the future of the unit, despite the long road ahead, McGee said.
With its designation as a Wing last year, the 931st Air Refueling Wing is estimated to grow by more than 1000 members to facilitate the incoming KC-46 fleet.