Strato-flying: 931st refuels B-52s during employer flight

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Brannen Parrish
  • 931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan --  Employers of 931st Air Refueling Group Airmen gained a first-hand look at how the unit supports strategic reach during an employer orientation flight, May 5.

Twenty-one employers hailing from Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma flew with 931st ARG Airmen aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker and observed the aerial refueling of B-52 Stratofortresses from the 307th Bomb Wing from Barksdale AFB, La.

The opportunity to witness two aircraft, especially two aircraft as large as the Stratofortress and the Stratotanker, flying within twenty feet of one another is generally reserved for boom operators and aircrew but 931st ARG Reservists opened the opportunity up to their civilian bosses.

The flight left an impression on each employer.

"This is one of the coolest things I've ever seen," said Mike Dixon of Parsons State Hospital in Parsons, Kan. "It's incredible how close we are to the B-52."

Dixon was nominated by Tech. Sgt. Robyn Thomas of the 931st Maintenance Operations Flight.

The purpose of employer flights is to educate supervisors and managers of traditional Reservists and develop a greater appreciation for the service of citizen Airmen. The flights allow Reserve organizations to build relationships with employers and help civilian employers understand the challenges associated with Reserve service.

Prior to the flight, Col. William H. Mason, Commander, 931st Air Refueling Group stressed the value of furthering understanding between the Air Force Reserve and civilian employers.

"The relationship between the Air Force Reserve and employers is one of the most important areas we need to manage," Mason said. "Your concerns and questions are important to us and the feedback we receive from you is important."

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