Congressman Rokita visits Grissom

It’s not uncommon to see distinguished visitors coming through Grissom’s gates and leaving with a smile.

U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita was no exception as he toured Grissom’s facilities and met the men and woman who make up the Hoosier Wing, Nov. 21.

“My family and I have visited the base many times, and this visit was an opportunity to see where many Hoosiers work and to learn more about this critical facet in our state,” said Rokita.

Nestled between cornfields in Central Indiana, Grissom ARB is one of only five Air Force Reserve Command bases in the country.

“Showcasing the Hoosier Wing and its Airman to Indiana legislation is always a joy for me,” said Col. Larry Shaw, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander. “Not only does it show what the unit does for the state of Indiana and the local economy, but also how we support the Air Force mission on a global scale.”

With a $122 million economic impact in 2016 alone, Grissom serves as the largest employer in Miami County and a key aerial refueling unit for Air Force Reserve Command.

“Grissom is an important aspect of our communities and it provides an important, strategic role in our military,” said Rokita. “As vice chair of the US House Budget Committee, I appreciate how efficiently the men, women, and leadership of Grissom carry out their missions. They execute tasks similar to that of their active duty military counterparts using a fraction of the funds.

“Part of leading is managing a budget and making sure as much protection as possible gets to the war fighter. Grissom seems to excel here,” he added.

Following a mission briefing of the base, Rokita and his staff had an opportunity to experience the 434th Air Refueling Wing’s state of the art KC-135 flight simulator and boom operator weapon system trainer.

“The flight simulator was a highlight on my visit,” said Rokita. As a pilot, I have had the opportunity to fly in and out of Grissom, to fly veterans around the country through Veterans Airlift Command, and to fly sick kids and their families around the country, but this was a new experience.”

Following the simulators, Rokita had an opportunity to speak to Airmen at the base and was given a window tour of the facilities.

“I appreciated the opportunity to visit the entire base and speak with many of the men and women who work there every day,” said Rokita.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.