Senator Mike Braun makes first visit to Grissom Published May 31, 2019 By Douglas Hays 434th ARW Public Affairs The Hoosier Wing hosted another high-profile Hoosier Tuesday.Sen. Mike Braun and key members of his staff met with 434th Air Refueling Wing leadership and toured the base to gain first-hand knowledge of Indiana’s only Air Force Reserve unit and stand-alone Air Force installation.“Anytime we have the opportunity to host our elected officials and share the mission and accomplishments of the 434th ARW we’re happy to do so,” said Col. Larry Shaw, 434th ARW commander.Shaw, along with Col. Brian Hollis, 434th Operations Group commander, Col. Ike Meese, 434th Maintenance Group commander, and Col. Scott Russell, 434th Mission Support Group commander, provided a mission briefing and a commanders’ roundtable forum to provide insight and answer questions for the first-term senator.Braun was appreciative of the opportunity to visit."I'd like to thank the great men and women of the 434th ARW for the enlightening tour of Grissom Air Reserve Base,” Braun said. “As one of only five such Air Force Reserve Command Bases in America and one of the largest employers in North Central Indiana, it was a special privilege to see up-close the important work being done to protect Americans at Grissom ARB."In addition to the briefing and discussion, the senator and his staff had a windshield tour of the base with a stop at a KC-135R Stratotanker where he met some of the maintainers that keep them flying.“I think the senator was duly impressed by the condition and state of readiness of our aircraft and pride that our maintainers and crew exhibit,” Shaw said.As the visit wrapped up, leaders from Grissom and Braun’s office discussed ways the two could partner for more information sharing and growth.“We’d love for Senator Braun to come back when he can spend more time with us, and meet more of the outstanding team that makes up Grissom,” Shaw added.The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. The Citizen Airmen from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
