Congressional staff members see Total Force in action at McConnell

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Zach Anderson
  • 931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  A collection of congressional staff members spent the day learning about Total Force Integration, the Air Force Reserve, and the air refueling mission here today by riding along on a KC-135 Stratotanker flight with the Air Force Reserve 931st Air Refueling Group and the active duty 22nd Air Refueling Wing.

Seven congressional staffers representing Kansas federal legislators participated in the event, which was hosted by the 931st Air Refueling Group.

"This flight gave us an opportunity to showcase the 931st Air Refueling Group and the contributions the Air Force Reserve makes here at McConnell," said Col. Mark S. Larson, commander of the 931st Air Refueling Group. "It also allowed us to provide an up-close look at the seamless integration we have achieved here with our active duty counterparts in the 22nd Air Refueling Wing."

Prior to the flight, the congressional staffers received a welcome and unit mission briefs from Larson and Col. Kyle Kremer, vice-commander of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing. They were also presented with a briefing on the specific refueling mission they would be observing by Capt. Chris Markley, a pilot assigned to the 18th Air Refueling Squadron.

The flight itself featured integrated aircrews made up of members from both the 931 ARG and 22 ARW, further illustrating the partnership between the reserve and active-duty units. During the flight, the staffers observed the air refueling of a B-1B Lancer from the 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

Col. Ricky Rupp, commander of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, and Larson both participated on the flights as well, and shared with the staffers the importance of the strong positive relationship between the two components.

"McConnell Air Force Base leads the way regarding Total Force Integration," said Rupp. "We work together each day to leverage our strengths. Only by working together can we truly develop the synergy of the active duty, Guard and Reserve components to maximize the capabilities of our resources. Today's mission was a tremendous opportunity to put the Total Force on display."