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High visibility visit earns high visibility praise

  • Published
  • By Douglas Hays
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  Grissom always makes a great impression and Dec.16, was no exception as Sen. Joe Donnelly and Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James came to visit at his invitation.

Both heard and saw the mission and capabilities of the 434th Air Refueling Wing and Grissom ARB.

After getting an initial mission briefing both had the opportunity to get hands-on in the KC-135R Stratotanker cockpit simulator and at the other end of the jet with the boom operator weapon systems trainer.

Following the simulator and boom trainer they got to see the real thing as aircrew and maintainers showcased a KC-135R on static display.

"This visit went extremely well," said Col. Doug Schwartz, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander. "Both the senator and the secretary met with the men and women of the Hoosier wing and saw the outstanding facilities that we have here - as well as learned about our mission and capabilities.

"As usual, Team Grissom knocked it out of the park," Schwartz said. "They left with a positive and lasting impression of both the people and the resources that we have here."

"I'm honored to have had the opportunity to see first-hand the mission at Grissom," Donnelly said.

He followed that up with a letter thanking the wing for its role in protecting our nation.

To view the letter, click here.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker wing 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.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer