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Past and present, Grissom Airmen to reunite

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jami K. Lancette
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  Reuniting to share their stories of service, courage and sacrifice, generations of Airmen will soon return to their unit's Indiana home.

The 434th Air Refueling Wing will host a reunion for its former Airmen at the Grissom Services Complex Aug. 24.

"There's a lot of fellowship," said retired Master Sgt. Les McConnell, a former 434th ARW historian and current Grissom Fire Department assistant chief, who helped orchestrate the reunion. "We talk about the past and future, and a lot of people tour the base to see what is going on and what new things are taking place.

"With the reserve, people tend to live far away from each other, so it's a nice way to get together and catch up," McConnell added.

Those interested in attending the event must register no later than Aug. 17 with retired Col. Larry Alexander, retired 434th CES squadron commander, who is also coordinating the event and can be reached at lwalex88@sbcglobal.net.

A social hour will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. after which dinner will be served.

For those wishing to stay at the Grissom Inn here, reservations can be made by calling (765) 688-2844.

The 434th Force Support Squadron customer service desk will be available Saturday morning to those wanting to update their ID's and any information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System information.

The 434th was officially activated on Oct. 1, 1942 as the 434th Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron at Mitchel Field, N.Y. In preparation for the invasion of Europe at Normandy, France, the unit was moved to Alliance Army Air Field, Neb., and was designated as the 434th Troop Carrier Group on Feb. 9, 1943. The 434th TCG consisted of the 71st, 72nd, 73rd and 74th Troop Carrier Squadrons, which all flew C-47 Skytrains throughout their WWII career including D-Day.

Today the 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command and Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

To learn more about the history of the 434th ARW, click here.

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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