Witnessing their spouses' role in the refueling mission

by Airman 1st Class Maurice A. Hodges
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

10/9/2012 - MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Fifteen spouses from the 22nd Operations Group flew on an orientation flight Oct. 4, 2012, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan.

The four-hour flight showcased a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling another KC-135 over the Midwest. The event was a tribute to the daily sacrifices made by McConnell spouses.

"We have these kinds of flights to show our appreciation for [spouses] and show them what we do," said Staff Sgt. Parker McElroy, 384th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator.

Prior to the flight, spouses learned about the 63 KC-135 assigned to McConnell, the 22nd Air Refueling Wing's mission and its impact on air refueling globally. The spouses also learned about McConnell's direct and indirect humanitarian efforts, ranging from the earthquake in Haiti to assisting the president during 9/11.

It was the first military flight for several of the spouses.

"A lot of times spouses don't have an idea what air refueling is," said Maj. Clarence Lovejoy, 22nd Operations Group chief pilot. "They get an idea what we do and an idea of what the mission is at McConnell."

Witnessing air-refueling familiarized them with their spouses' roles in the 22nd Air Refueling Wing's mission.

Several 22nd OG spouses were married to boom operators, who operate a boom to do in-flight refueling, or to pilots, who specialize in flying the KC-135 aircraft.

"The jet I was on refueled the jet my husband was flying," Heather Lovejoy, spouse of Maj. Clarence Lovejoy, 22nd OG chief pilot. "It was a great experience to see him do his work while I laid in the boom pod."

The spouses observed the KC- 135's primary fuel transfer method. Two people were in the rear of the plane alongside a crew member while he controlled the boom to pump fuel.

"I loved going on the flight, because I got to see a different perspective," said Rachel Robinson, McConnell Officers' Spouses' Club member.

The McConnell Enlisted Spouses Club and the McConnell Officers' Spouses Club are both non-profit organizations that raise money for charitable purposes on McConnell. The McConnell Enlisted Spouses Club is the third largest of its kind in the nation.