SATAF a success, 931st goes 'green'

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jason Schaap
  • 931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Officially, the 931st Air Refueling Group got the green light to grow. But for Col. Edsel A. "Archie" Frye Jr., 931st commander and admitted NASCAR junky, it was more like the green flag go-ahead at the Daytona 500.

The news came Dec. 4 from Lt. Col. Simeon Highsmith, team leader of a site activation task force sent to evaluate a proposal for significant growth within the 931st. More commonly known as a SATAF, the task force gave the 931st growth plan an overall grade of "green."

Some parts of the plan were given what Colonel Highsmith referred to as "minor" cautionary "yellow" grades, but Colonel Frye said he was still more than happy with the SATAF's recommendations.

"They exceeded my lofty expectations," he said, "and they were lofty."

Colonel Frye credited the 931st Maintenance Squadron's leadership for much of the SATAF visit success. The Group will grow nine months ahead of schedule thanks to their hard work and preparation, he said.

Colonel Highsmith thanked Lt. Col. Jeff Pickard, 931st Maintenance Squadron commander, for all the "leg work" completed before the SATAF arrived.

"You guys are obviously on top of it," Colonel Highsmith said to Colonel Pickard during the outbrief that ended the SATAF's three day visit.

Mr. Jack Peters, SATAF member representing Air Mobility Command, said the work done at McConnell AFB prior to the SATAF's arrival made the task force's job "easy." Personnel from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, the 931st's host unit at McConnell, were also credited for their strong support of growing their tenant Group.

"(Total-force teamwork at McConnell) is on the right track," Colonel Highsmith said. "We were really impressed by the 931st's integration with the 22nd."

Col. James C. Vechery, 22nd commander, personally welcomed the SATAF when they arrived at McConnell on Dec. 2. The task force extended a deep sense of gratitude to Colonel Vechery, Colonel Frye, and their staffs for an impressive total-force reception.

"This has probably been the best SATAF (visit) we've ever had as far as hospitality goes," Colonel Highsmith said.

This was the fifth SATAF visit Colonel Frye was part of. It was also "the best one" he had ever seen, he said. The fluidity of communication between the SATAF, the 931st and the 22nd accomplished more in three days than he hoped for.

For example, the SATAF identified 14 more medical personnel needed to support what will soon be a bigger 931st ARG. A logistics slot was also added to the plan after the SATAF learned, to their surprise, the 931st doesn't have a logistics unit.

Members of the 931st have done "so much, with so little, for so long," that needs like logistics went unnoticed, Col. Frye told the SATAF.

The journey toward filling those gaps and growing the Group will begin almost immediately. Advertisements for new full-time maintenance positions are scheduled for the beginning of 2009.

Colonel Highsmith said his team will likely revisit McConnell for further expansion discussions before the 931st enters its deployment cycle in May.