Lt. Gov. of Indiana visits Grissom Published July 8, 2016 By Staff Sgt. Katrina Heikkinen 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Grissom had an opportunity to roll out the red carpet when the Hoosier state’s lieutenant governor visited to learn about the base and the military members that call it home.Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb and key staff members saw and heard first-hand the operational capabilities of the 434th Air Refueling Wing and its role in the nation’s defense when they came June 28.“Our goal was to give him an overview of what Hoosier Airmen do every day,” said Col. Paul Gates, 434th ARW vice commander. “When he finished seeing our aircraft and hearing our story, I’m sure he walked away impressed and had a better understanding of our role in national defense.”A life-long Hoosier, Holcomb started his first tour of the Hoosier Wing by virtually landing a KC-135R Stratotanker in the base’s flight deck simulator, as Gates sat in the copilot position.“That was absolutely amazing,” Holcomb said [of the flight deck simulator]. “That was as close to the real thing without being real.”Holcomb, who was nominated to serve Indiana Governor Mike Pence, was only recently confirmed by the General Assembly and sworn into office in March. In addition to serving as chairman of the Indiana Counter Terrorism and Security Council, he oversees the Office of Defense and Development and the Indiana Housing and Development Authority.A Navy veteran, Holcomb echoed the same question – “how can I help?” – to both leaders and Airmen of all ranks he came in contact with throughout the entirety of his visit.Holcomb’s last stop included a tour of a KC-135R static display, as he learned about the 434th ARW’s operational capabilities as well as the base’s successful generation of aircraft in support of the Air Mobility Command.As Holcomb learned about the 434th ARW’s operational capabilities during a tour of a KC-135R Stratotanker display, he learned about as a key aerial refueling unit within the Air Force Reserve Command, he greeted every Airman by asking them where they were from and what their mission is as a U.S. Air Force Airman.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.
