Wichita Boys and Girls Club members visit 931st ARG

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Connor Burkhard
  • 931st ARG Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Some Airmen from the 931st Air Refueling Group took time out of their busy unit training assembly schedules in July to host some honorary weekend warriors.

Members from the Boys and Girls Club of South Central Kansas were invited here to see the 931st up close during its monthly gathering.

The visit, which was planned and hosted by the 931st Human Resource Development Council, was the first of its kind at the unit. The HRDC invited older school-age children to show them the basics of being a 931st Reservist.

"We want to teach them about the Air Force Reserve, and also educate them to help prevent them from self-eliminating themselves from military service by things like drug use," said Senior Master Sgt. Pamela Summers, 931st Education and Training chief and HRDC advisor.

The children started off their visit with an in-brief given by Col. Edsel "Archie" Frye Jr., 931st ARG commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Sean Martin, 931st command chief, followed by lunch, ice cream floats and a chance to sink 931st members in a dunk tank.

The visiting children were then given a taste of life as an Air Force Reservist. Demonstrations, (provided by civil engineers, medical personnel and security forces) included chemical gear, self aid and buddy care, and a weapons display complete with water guns.

The children were given the opportunity to try on flak vests, gas masks and helmets, sit in some of the unit's heavy equipment, and try out basic self-defense moves.

The went inside a KC-135 flight simulator, where the children experienced take-offs and landings in a variety of weather conditions. The day ended with a trip to the flight line to see the in and outs of a real KC-135.

"I liked seeing all the different things the Air Force does," said Sheyanne Shorb, Boys and Girls Club member, who was visiting base for the first time.
Most surprising to many of the children was that the base is basically self-sustaining and has things like its own pool, theater, grocery store and police force.

"The base is like a mini-city," said Jeremy Hammond, who was also visiting the base for the first time.

This is the first year HRDC has hosted the children's organization on base, but there are already plans for future visits.

"We are hoping to do this again at least once a year," said Sergeant Summers.