Taking flight, congressional staffers refuel 'Buff' Published Sept. 22, 2011 By Senior Airman Jami K. Lancette 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- U.S. Congressional staff members were given a rare opportunity to fly in one of the 434th Air Refueling Wing's KC-135R Stratotankers and see first-hand a refueling mission take place Sept. 14 The staffers started the day off with a briefing that highlighted Grissom's impact not only in the military, but in the surrounding community. They were also briefed about the day's refueling mission by Col. William T. "Tim" Cahoon, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander. The nine congressional staffers then boarded a KC-135R for their refueling mission. Flying for approximately three-and-a half hours, the staffers each took turns crawling inside a boom pod and watched as Master Sgt. Paul Sherrod, 72nd Air Refueling Squadron in-flight refueling technician, refueled a B-52 Stratofortress from the 93rd Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. The B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber capable of performing a variety of different missions. The bomber can fly at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet. It can also carry nuclear or precision guided conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability. After the mission the staffers were presented with 434th ARW honorary aircrew certificates to thank them for their visit here. Grissom is home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
