Total Force effort leads to flying milestone for McConnell Reservists

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Zach Anderson
  • 931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  From the outset, the mission appeared to be like any other routine local training sortie flown daily out of McConnell Air Force Base. The pilots conducted their required training and performed an air refueling; all standard, everyday occurrences at the Air Force's largest tanker base. However, when the KC-135 Stratotanker with the call sign "Total 1" touched down at the completion of its flight today, it marked a milestone achievement for the Total Force Integration efforts that are the core of Team McConnell success.

On the final local mission of fiscal year 2012, the Air Force Reserve 931st Air Refueling Group achieved its FY2012 target of 3,688 total hours flown. That number, 3,688, is the number of hours Air Force Reserve command had programmed the Group to fly for the year.

"Air Force Reserve Command sets those target hours for flying training and flying proficiency," said Lt. Col. Eric A. Vitosh, commander of the Reserve 18th Air Refueling Squadron. "Those hours are targeted so that we can not only get the training we're required to do per regulations, but also so that we can maintain proficiency at our jobs. As Reservists, we have to be ready to go, which means we have to stay proficient so we can accomplish the mission. But hitting those hours can be difficult, especially for a Reserve unit that doesn't own its own aircraft."

"In the past, there have been times when we've struggled to meet those annual flying requirements, but this year we're hitting that target in great fashion," said Col. Mark S. Larson, commander of the 931st Air Refueling Group.

Larson said the biggest factor leading to this year's success is the strong support the 931st has received from its host unit, the active duty 22nd Air Refueling Wing.

"This milestone is the result of a unique team effort between the 931st and our partners in the 22nd Air Refueling Wing," said Larson. "Our active duty counterparts have played an incredible role in our attainment of this objective. Without their unending support, leadership and camaraderie, we would not be enjoying this monumental occasion."

"This achievement truly was a total force effort," said Vitosh. "We could not be here without working together with the 22nd Air Refueling Wing. This mark was just as important for their commander, Col. Rupp, as it was for us. He constantly asked what he could do to provide more support and to make sure we got what we needed to get our hours flown. There is absolutely no way we get to this point without working as a total force."

To commemorate the achievement, Col. Ricky N. Rupp, commander of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, flew along with Larson on today's mission. Along with the two commanders, "Total 1" featured a total force aircrew, including pilots Maj. Mike McLain, 18th Air Refueling Squadron, Maj. Craig Lauderdale, 22nd Air Refueling Wing, and boom operator Senior Master Sgt. Ray Lewis, 18th Air Refueling Squadron.

"I am extremely proud that we have been able to work seamlessly with our reserve partners to achieve this goal," said Rupp. "In this time of limited resources and personnel, it is increasingly important that all components of the Air Force work together to leverage each other's strengths and maximize our total capabilities. This achievement represents not only the strength of the 931st, but also the strength of McConnell Air Force Base."

"This mission is a not just for the 931st to celebrate, but for all of Team McConnell to celebrate the execution of a flying program that marks the culmination of a year's worth of total force effort to project the power of the Air Force around the world," said Larson. "It truly is a shared success."

As "Total 1" taxied to a stop on the runway at the conclusion of today's flight, a crowd of active duty and reserve Airmen gathered on the flight line to cheer the crew as they exited the aircraft.

And, while it was a time to celebrate, the members of Team McConnell are already looking forward to the next challenge on the horizon: The 931st has been assigned a target of 3,888 hours for fiscal year 2013.

"We've hit the mark this year, but we know it's not the end all be all," said Vitosh. "We will have to work just as hard, if not harder, to attain our goal next year. This is a great moment, but we can't rest on our laurels. We have to keep moving forward."