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Vietnam era veterans tour Grissom

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cali Wetli
  • 434 ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  
A lot can change in 50 years, but not the patriotism of a group of former Airmen still hold and expressed during an evening re-living their glory days.

Vietnam Veterans from the 71st Special Operations Squadron, toured Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana, July 21, to get an up close look at the changes and new mission of the unit.

The veterans had an opportunity to see a static display of one of Grissom’s 16 KC-135R Stratotankers.

During the tour of the aircraft, the Airmen had the opportunity to ask aircrew questions, and even taught them a thing or two about their experiences running the show.

“I loved the tour, being a former crew chief,” said Jim Alvis, a retired Airman from the 71st SOS. “It was a great experience, and I enjoyed getting to be back in the military environment.”

Many of the service members hadn’t been in a military environment for a long period of time. Having a chance to climb aboard the aircraft and in the boom pod made many service members reminisce times they went on refueling missions themselves.

“I was laying in the boom pod, and it completely brought me back,” said Paul Werner Jr., retired Air Force boom operator. “If I could put it into one word: amazing.”

Amazing was a frequently used term when it came to the tour. Many service members said it was something very special.

“This was a once in a lifetime thing for me,” said Werner. “I was very happy to be back.”

Werner wasn’t the only one excited to be back.

Herman Heuss, former Grissom Vice Wing commander from 1977-1982, was in attendance also.

“Anytime we can welcome family members back to Grissom we’re happy to do so,” said Col. Larry Shaw, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander. “They paved the way for us and we’re happy to show how we’ve progressed under their tutelage.”
Grissom holds base tours for groups of 15 or more. More information about tours can be found on the questions link on the website.

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.

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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