Northwestern Middle School visits Grissom Published June 6, 2016 By Senior Airman Dakota Bergl 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Students from Northwestern Middle School got out of the classroom and had a chance to tour Grissom on May 18, 2016.The eighth graders visited the 434th Operations Support Squadron before being shown around a static display of one of the 434th Air Refueling Wing’s KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft by crew chiefs, pilots and boom operators.While they were at Aircrew Flight Equipment the students learned about the various lifesaving equipment aboard the Stratotankers. The students were encouraged to try on the helmets and quick-don masks and to inflate life vests and the emergency slide.“The kids liked that it was hands on,” said Rachele Temme, a teacher at Northwestern Middle School. “Sitting in the raft was fun, so was watching the slide inflate.”Outside the students split into three groups to see a refueling tanker up close and personal. Several pilots showed them the cockpit, a boom operator took them through the boom pod and two crew chiefs showed them the exterior of the aircraft.“The students liked getting in the plane and the staff was very impressed with the base and the facilities,” said Temme. “It was a fantastic experience.”Master Sgt. Andy Graham, a 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, said that he feels that allowing students the opportunity to visit the base is important so that they can see what the Air Force actually does.“I think these base tours are a great opportunity for both the kids and military members here at Grissom,” said Graham. “The tours not only introduce the kids to what we do here but also allow us to share our experiences and a little of the base history with them.”Grissom offers tours to qualified groups on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month and part of a community outreach program.Those interested in scheduling a tour should contact Public Affairs at (765) 688 – 3340.The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.Stay connected, visit Grissom on Facebook and Twitter.
