News>Honorary commanders, civic leaders take flight with Hoosier Wing
Photos
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Lt. Col. Lewis Poore Jr., 72nd Air Refueling Squadron commander, talks with a civic leader in the cockpit of a KC-135R during an aerial refueling flight June 20. Grissom honorary commanders and local civic leaders flew aboard the KC-135R to learn about the mission of the 434th ARW. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Andrew McLaughlin)
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- A KC-135R Stratotanker with the 434th Air Refueling Wing, meets with a Navy E-6B Mercury from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., to perform an aerial refueling June 20. Grissom honorary commanders and local civic leaders flew aboard the KC-135R to learn about the mission of the 434th ARW. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Andrew McLaughlin)
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- A KC-135R Stratotanker with the 434th Air Refueling Wing refuels a Navy E-6B Mercury from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., June 20. Grissom honorary commanders and local civic leaders flew aboard the KC-135R to learn about the mission of the 434th ARW. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Andrew McLaughlin)
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- A Navy E-6B Mercury from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., pulls away from a KC-135R Stratotanker with the 434th Air Refueling Wing after completing an aerial refueling June 20. Grissom honorary commanders and local civic leaders flew aboard the KC-135R to learn about the mission of the 434th ARW. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Andrew McLaughlin)
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Master Sgt. Paul Sherrod, 434th Air Refueling Wing boom operator, speaks with passengers after their flight aboard a KC-135R Stratotanker June 20. Grissom honorary commanders and local civic leaders visited the base and flew during an in-flight refueling to learn about the mission of the 434th ARW. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Andrew McLaughlin)
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Grissom honorary commanders and local civic leaders pose after their flight aboard a KC-135R Stratotanker with the 434th Air Refueling Wing June 20. The honorary commanders and civic leaders visited the base and flew during an in-flight refueling to learn about the mission of the 434th ARW. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Andrew McLaughlin)
by Senior Airman Andrew McLaughlin
434th ARW Public Affairs
6/28/2012 - GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- In a rare opportunity, Grissom's honorary commanders and local civic leaders got a first-hand look at how the Air Force fuels the fight.
The guests flew onboard a KC-135R Stratotanker from Grissom June 20 to witness the 434th Air Refueling Wing in action during an in-flight refueling.
"It was an awesome experience," said Mike Wickersham, the president of a Winchester, Ind. company.
The passengers were able to talk with pilots in the cockpit and get into the aircraft's boom pod where they watched the boom operators refuel the Navy jet that functions as an airborne command post and communications relay.
"It was amazing," said Les Hadden, the president of a Michigan corporation that provides testing and engineering services. "The crew was very professional and kind."
Hadden also commented on the condition of the KC-135 itself.
"It's so clean," he added. "They really emphasize their maintenance; I'm impressed!"
Guests from the community are invited to go on select aerial refueling flights throughout the year to help increase awareness about Grissom and the mission of the 434th ARW, which is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command.
Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.
