~The FReeper Canteen Presents~
**Road Trip: McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas**
McConnell Air Force Base is a United States Air Force installation located four miles southeast of the central business district of Wichita, a city in Sedgwick County, Kansas. The base was named in honor of the brothers Fred and Thomas McConnell of Wichita, both Air Force pilots and World War II veterans.
McConnell AFB is home to several key units including the Air Mobility Command’s 22d Air Refueling Wing (22 ARW), Air Force Reserve Command’s 931st Air Refueling Wing (931 ARW), and the Kansas Air National Guard’s 184th Intelligence Wing (184 IW).
On April 23, 2014, the U.S. Air Force announced that the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus would be based at McConnell AFB. The base began receiving the first of 36 tankers in 2019. Currently, the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is also stationed at McConnell.
McConnell was chosen as the KC-46 home due to its low construction costs and its strategic location, which is in an area of high demand for air refueling. The base continues to operate with a joint approach, emphasizing “Team McConnell” rather than individual units.
The Air Force doctrinal approach known as Mirror Force remains evident in all wing operations. The 22 ARW has led the Air Force in refueling interoperability through the Multi-Point Refueling System (MPRS), allowing the wing to provide refueling services to U.S. Navy and allied aircraft.
Additionally, the PACER CRAG program modernized KC-135 avionics, equipping them with technology that enables routine air refueling missions to proceed safely and efficiently.
**Learn More About McConnell Air Force Base [HERE]!**
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**FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT**
Our mission is to show support and boost the morale of our military, allied forces, and their family members. We honor those who have served before us.
Please remember: The Canteen is a place to honor and entertain our troops and is family-friendly. Let’s have fun!
We pray for your continued strength to remain resilient in the face of adversity. We pray for your safety, that you will soon return safely to your families and friends. We pray that your hope, courage, and dignity remain unbroken, so that you may guide others through challenging times.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4343387/posts