News United States Air Force
 SecAF visits McConnell AFBPublished April 7, 2022
                        
                        By Airman 1st Class Zachary Willis, Airman Brenden Beezley
                        
                        
                        22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
                **MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. (AFNS) --**
                Secretary of the Air Force**Frank Kendall**visited the**22nd Air Refueling Wing**,**931st ARW**and**184th Air National Guard Wing**at**McConnell Air Force Base**to get an up-close visual of air-refueling aircraft and missions with a focus on service modernization April 3-4.

While touring various organizations, Kendall experiencedMcConnell AFB’s direct impact on**Air Mobility Command** and the advancements in aerial refueling. He first toured a**KC-135Stratotanker**to get an understanding of the older airframe before touring and flying aboard a**KC-46A Pegasus**.

During the tours, Kendall saw first-hand how McConnell AFB Airmen have led the effort to move the KC-46A Pegasus towards becoming fully mission capable and the conversion of the next generation of air dominance.

“Air refueling is vital to our Nation’s ability to project power, and Team McConnell’s 22nd and 931st ARWs are key to that mission,” Kendall said. “McConnell represents the long history of air refueling with KC-135s approaching 60 years old on one portion of the ramp, while their counterparts a short distance away are driving towards the future by bringing the KC-46’s much newer capabilities into the operational fleet.”

Chief Master Sgt. James Guldjord, 344th Air Refueling Squadron air refueling superintendent, teaches Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall about the air refueling station on a KC-46A Pegasus at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., April 3, 2022. Kendall toured a KC-135 Stratotanker followed by a flight on a KC-46A Pegasus to take an in-depth look at the air refueling airframes. The purpose was to highlight modernization and compare old and new airframe capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Willis)Chief Master Sgt. James Guldjord, 344th Air Refueling Squadron air refueling superintendent, teaches Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall about the air refueling station on a KC-46A Pegasus at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., April 3, 2022. Kendall toured a KC-135 Stratotanker followed by a flight on a KC-46A Pegasus to take an in-depth look at the air refueling airframes. The purpose was to highlight modernization and compare old and new airframe capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Willis)
            
            
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    Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall listens to McConnell Air Force Base Airmen’s question at McConnell AFB, Kan., April 4, 2022. Kendall had lunch with Airmen from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, 931st ARW and 184th Wing, where they discussed a variety of topics ranging from innovation in the workplace to mental health. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Brenden Beezley)Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall listens to McConnell Air Force Base Airmen’s question at McConnell AFB, Kan., April 4, 2022. Kendall had lunch with Airmen from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, 931st ARW and 184th Wing, where they discussed a variety of topics ranging from innovation in the workplace to mental health. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Brenden Beezley)
            
            
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    Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall coins Staff Sgt. Tyler Goldsborough, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron refuel/bomber aircraft maintenance airplane general at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., April 4, 2022. Kendall had lunch with Airmen from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, 931st Air Refueling Wing and 184th Wing, where they discussed a variety of topics ranging from innovation in the workplace to mental health. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Brenden Beezley)Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall coins Staff Sgt. Tyler Goldsborough, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron refuel/bomber aircraft maintenance airplane general at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., April 4, 2022. Kendall had lunch with Airmen from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, 931st Air Refueling Wing and 184th Wing, where they discussed a variety of topics ranging from innovation in the workplace to mental health. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Brenden Beezley)
            
            
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After touring aircraft, Kendall sat down with 15 Airmen to recognize them for their superior performance and dedication to continuing the mission during a luncheon April 4. Airmen engaged with Secretary Kendall on issues such as modernization, innovation, training, sexual assault prevention and response, stress management and healthcare.

“The interactions with McConnell (AFB) Airmen left me with two overarching thoughts: first, the drive and skills of U.S. Air Force Airmen are second-to-none; and second, that job number one for those of us in the Pentagon is advocating for the resources ourAirmen need to win,” Kendall said.

“Events like the listening luncheon are an incredible opportunity for ourAirmen to grow their strategic understanding of the Secretary’s intent, our ‘one team, one fight’ mantra, and the importance of their individual efforts in making that happen,” said Col. Nate Vogel, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander. “Now it’s up to each of us, both individually and collectively, to take the Secretary’s vision and make it happen each and every day, both on the ground and at altitude.”LR 



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KC-135 Stratotanker 



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Aerial Refueling