SEAC visits McConnell

by Senior Airman Victor J. Caputo
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

8/3/2015 - MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- The Department of Defense's top enlisted member and the senior enlisted Soldier in the Kansas National Guard visited here July 30 - 31 to speak with military members about important issues and learn about Team McConnell.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia, the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. James Moberly, visited with Airmen from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, 931st Air Refueling Group and 184th Intelligence Wing, touring multiple squadrons, learning about the active duty and reserve refueling mission and the Air National Guard cyber intelligence mission.

"Seeing the Airmen and talking to them through town halls, during chow, [commander] calls, and physical training gives me an opportunity to thank troops and share information," Battaglia said.

During a town hall, Battaglia discussed the future of the health care system and benefits within the Department of Defense with Airmen, Soldiers and Marines from the local area.

One of the most important purposes of the visit was to express thanks towards the junior members of the McConnell community and their families from top military officials, said Moberly.

Chief master sergeants and U.S. Army sergeants major from around the local McConnell area were able to meet with Battaglia to discuss issues facing senior enlisted leaders.

"It's not every day that an Airman working out on the flightline is given the chance to talk to the senior enlisted member of the armed forces," said Chief Master Sgt. Shawn Hughes, 22nd ARW command chief. "I think the advice our Airmen received from Sgt. Maj. Battaglia will go a long way to helping them through their careers, and hopefully hearing about their concerns will help him and the chairman [of the joint chiefs of staff] address existing issues."

Some of the places Battaglia visited included the 22nd Maintenance Group complex, where he spoke with maintenance Airmen working the swing shift, the KC-135 Stratotanker Boom Operator Weapons System Trainer, and the 184th IW's 299th Network Operations Security Squadron.

"We are extremely grateful to Sgt. Maj. Battaglia and Sgt. Maj. Moberly for visiting Team McConnell," said Hughes. "Our Airmen did a great job showcasing the variety of missions we have here, and hopefully word of the quality and pride they take in their work will make it all the way back to the Pentagon."