Team McConnell Hosts Air Force Ball

From right, Col. Albert G. Miller, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander, Col. Mark S. Larson, 931 ARW commander, Col. Jarrod K. Frantz, 190 ARW commander, and Col. David A. Weishaar, 184th Intelligence Wing commander, lead Team McConnell in the singing of the Air Force Song during the Air Force Ball Sept. 10, 2016, Wichita, Kans. This year marks the 69th anniversary of the creation of the Air Force as an independent branch of the military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Preston Webb)

Gen. Darren W. McDew, U.S. Transportation Command commander, reflects and shares experience with Airmen as one of the senior-most KC-135 pilots still serving during the Air Force Ball Sept. 10, 2016, Wichita, Kans. McDew expressed the ceremony was not only a celebration of the Air Force and KC-135 Stratotanker anniversaries, but abut a commemoration of the events of Sept. 11, 2001. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Preston Webb)

Chaplain (Capt.) Paul Mount, 931st Air Refueling Wing chaplain, leads Team McConnell in an invocation during the Air Force Ball Sept. 10, 2016, Wichita, Kans. This year’s ball was open to Active Duty, Guard, Reserve and Civilians as a total-force event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Preston Webb)

Team McConnell members raise water glasses to toast Prisoners of War and those Missing In Action during the Air Force Ball Sept. 10, 2016, Wichita, Kans. At each Air Force Ball, a symbolic table is set to remind Airmen of the service members who never returned home. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Preston Webb)

From right, Gen. Darren W. McDew, U.S. Transporation Command commander and the most-senior Airman in attendance, Senior Airman Gary Valdez, Senior Airman Sergio Devora-Nejara, and Airman First Class Alexander Fracasso, the most junior Airmen in attendance, cut the cake during the Air Force Ball Sept. 10, 2016, Wichita, Kans. The most-senior Airman cutting the cake with the most-junior Airman is an Air Force Ball tradition symbolizing the history of the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Preston Webb)

Team McConnell members watch a brief history of the KC-135 Stratotanker during the Air Force Ball Sept. 10, 2016, Wichita, Kans. The ball also served as an opportunity for both 931 Air Refueling Wing and 22nd ARW personnel to commemorate the history of the KC-135 Stratotanker, an aircraft essential to the in-air refueling mission which has been in service for 60 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Preston Webb)

From right, Col. Albert G. Miller, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander, Gen. Darren W. McDew, U.S. Transportation Command commander, Col. David A. Weishaar, 184th Intelligence Wing commander, Col. Mark S. Larson, 931 ARW commander, and Col. Jarrod K. Frantz, 190 ARW commander, present a check during the Air Force Ball Sept. 10, 2016, Wichita, Kans. In lieu of a gift to McDew, base leadership donated money to the Air Force Aid Society. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Preston Webb)