OG commander takes final flight Published Aug. 16, 2013 By Tech. Sgt. Doug Hays 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Col. Chris Amend, 434th Operations Group commander, completed his final flight at Grissom Aug. 7, and was met with smiles, laughter, hugs -- and lots of water. After touching down and climbing down the crew ladder of a KC-135R Stratotanker, Amend was hosed down with water, which is tradition of Air Force aviators completing their final flight with a unit. The colonel is leaving Grissom and moving to Scott Air Force Base, Ill., where he will serve as the reserve advisor to the commander of Air Mobility Command. Amend took command of the 434th OG in November 2011 and was responsible for the day-to-day operational training and overall management of two KC-135R squadrons, operating 16 aircraft and an operations support squadron. The 434th OG also has a unique role supporting both the Single Integrated Operational Plan and conventional tanker missions. The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the globe in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.
