McConnell Honorary Commanders take flight

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Zach Anderson
  • 931st ARG Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Twenty-one local community leaders received a firsthand look at McConnell Air Force Base's air refueling operations by taking part in an honorary commander orientation flight, Oct. 13.

The base honorary commander program is a joint venture between the active duty 22nd Air Refueling Wing and the Reserve 931st Air Refueling Group. The program pairs local community leaders with unit commanders in order to foster strong relationships between McConnell Air Force Base and civilian leaders.

The day began with honorary commanders receiving briefs from both the active duty and reserve components on base.

Col. Thomas Riney, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Operations Group Commander, presented a briefing on McConnell Air Force Base as well as an overview of the 22nd ARW.

Col. William Mason, Commander of the 931st Air Refueling Group, gave a presentation explaining the role, mission, and purpose of the Air Force Reserve, as well as the mission of the 931st.

"The Air Force Reserve has changed in the last ten years," said Mason. "We are no longer just a Reserve force. We are a force provider. We mobilize, volunteer, and do the same jobs the active duty does. We provide forces to all major commands."

Following a question and answer session with recently deployed Airmen, the honorary commanders boarded a pair of KC-135 Stratotankers to see air refueling in action.

During the flight, the honorary commanders watched the tankers conduct air refueling mission and gained a better understanding of the mission of the 22nd ARW and the 931st ARG.

"The flight was such an experience, to be able to see how the refueling actually happens and how the two planes were so close was so incredible. I didn't realize before just how much of this mission was done from right here in Wichita and how much it provides for the entire Air Force," said Jorge Martinez, 931st Air Refueling Group honorary commander.

"It was just amazing. It was incredible to watch the boom operator work, and I was extremely impressed," said Jon Holmes, the honorary commander to the 931st Deputy Commander of Maintenance.

The 931st honorary commanders also left with a new understanding of the men and women who serve in the Air Force Reserve.

"I saw how incredible these men and women are who keep us safe. I saw how well trained and how professional they all are," said Sheila Cole, 931st Force Support Squadron honorary commander.

"I learned today that the Air Force Reserve is involved pretty much full-time," said Martinez. "A lot of people, including myself, tend to think of the Air Force Reserve as a back-up sort of thing. But the active duty and reserves are constantly working together simultaneously. The Reserves are constantly involved."

Holmes agreed.

"It's very obvious that the reserves are not 'reserves' anymore. They are here, working right alongside the active duty."

Cole summed up the entire day in one word.

"Awesome."