Rep. Messer's staffer visits Grissom Published Aug. 8, 2014 By Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner 140801-F-IM476 GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- As a key player in the nation's defense, as well as the local economy, there is a lot that goes on at Grissom, and one U.S. representative's legislative assistant recently got a close-up look at the base and its mission. Molly Newell, a legislative assistant for Rep. Luke Messer, toured Grissom and met with 434th Air Refueling Wing Airmen and leadership during a visit to the north central Indiana base Aug. 1. "While Grissom is no longer an active base in name, it is still a very active base in function," said Newell. "Having the opportunity to see how Grissom contributes to the security of our nation further emphasized the importance of maintaining our military capability and making sure that bases such as Grissom have the resources they need to strengthen our readiness." To give her that opportunity, Newell first toured on one of Grissom's 16 KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft, where Master Sgt. Jason Washburn, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron KC-135R crew chief, explained what goes into keeping the aircraft, which are more than 50 years old, flying. Newell then got a hands-on experience with the 434th ARW's mission as she took the controls of a KC-135R Stratotanker for both a takeoff and landing in Grissom's state-of-the-art flight deck simulator. Col. Doug Schwartz, 434th ARW commander, sat in the copilot's seat and helped her learn the aircraft's controls and assisted her through a simulated flight over Grissom. "There's so much to know and keep track of," Newell said of the crash-course in flying before moving on to what Schwartz referred to as the "business-end" of the KC-135 in Grissom's new boom operator weapons system trainer, or BOWST, where she simulated refueling an F-22 Raptor. Taking a break for lunch, Newell discussed the 434th ARW's mission as well as hopes and plans for the future with Schwartz. "Grissom is well-recognized for serving our country for decades; however, it wasn't until visiting the base that I understood the great extent that Grissom serves our community and state," she said following the tour. "I think that is none more evident than in its visibility in the Miami County community and its impact on generations of Hoosiers." To the Airmen of the 434th ARW, Newell expressed her own thanks and that on behalf of Coats before she left. "Getting to meet with the servicemen and women at Grissom who dedicate their lives to serving our country gave me another reason to say I am proud to be a Hoosier," she concluded. The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135 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 Grissom and the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
