Honorary commanders, civic leaders take flight with Hoosier Wing Published June 27, 2012 By Senior Airman Andrew McLaughlin 434th ARW Public Affairs 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. The KC-135R met with a Navy E-6B Mercury out of Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. and conducted the aerial refueling as the passengers looked on. "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. Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
