Rocky Mountain high

  • Published
  • By Thomas Schmidt
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing
SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. --  Awesome! Beyond my wildest dream! I couldn't believe my eyes! 

All of this and much more from a group of 27 civic leaders traveling to Peterson AFB, Colorado April 24-25. 

After several months of planning and organizing, community and business leaders stepped onto an Air Force Reserve Command KC-135R refueling tanker flown by a professional flight crew assigned to the 63rd Air Refueling Squadron. The crew was led by Col. Gary Beebe, wing commander, and Lt. Col. Matthew Rathsack. What was to be witnessed far exceeded expectations. 

With calm winds and overcast skies dominating the early morning hours, the tanker began its trek to the runway. Engines roaring to a deafening pitch and final flight checks completed, the large gray tanker rolled down the runway and gently lifted into the skies over Michigan. 

After nearly two hours of flight, the boom operator spread the word all were anxiously awaiting. The receiver had been sighted and in flight refueling would soon begin. 

Two-by-two individuals were summoned by Maj. Randy Orne, passenger monitor, to occupy their positions alongside the boomer, Master Sgt. Bruce Clemmer, to view in flight refueling of an RC-135 over the Show Me State, more commonly known as Missouri. The refueling boom connected with the RC-135 and fuel began to flow to the fuel hungry receiver. 

Exiting the boom pod, where the heart and soul of the refueling effort took place, passengers were aglow with amazement after seeing refueling up close and personal. A distance of only 40 feet separated the tanker from the receiver while traveling at a ground speed of nearly 350 miles per hour. 

As the receiver topped off its fuel load and slid ever-so-gently into the cloud covered horizon, the tanker continued on to its destination. 

Arriving at Peterson AFB after fighting high, gusting winds and falling snow, civic leaders visited 302nd Air Wing headquarters for a series of briefings describing missions of several units located in the Colorado Springs area. A visit to Air Force Space Command concluded the day's formal activities. 

An exquisitely prepared dinner by the officer's club staff and hosted by Col. James Muscatel, 302AW commander and his staff, was a most fitting conclusion to a long and tiring but gratifying day for all. 

An early wakeup call was on the agenda in order to arrive in time at the Air Force Academy, located in the shadow of Pike's Peak. 

A tour of the Air Force Academy chapel, a briefing at the parachute jump school and dining with 4,100 cadets following formation in the courtyard rounded out the second day before boarding the awaiting tanker and heading home to Selfridge. 

Departing the aircraft and meeting with Colonel Beebe while luggage was being unloaded gave guests the opportunity to say thank you for all that was done to make the tour a truly unforgettable and memorable experience, one which they will be carried by them for years to come. 

"I am truly grateful for the wonderful experience you have shared with me. The opportunity to meet totally committed, enormously talented and inspiring people is a highlight in my career," said Larry Nichols, chief executive officer and president, Oakland Commerce Bank of Farmington Hills, Mich. 

As many said, they had no idea what was involved with in flight refueling and expressed their appreciation for all of the other things they were exposed to during the two days spent away from the normal work routine. "Thank you for the invitation. I was overwhelmed by the professionalism and quality of the men and women that I met from the 927th ARW," commented Kent Kukuk, Michigan Economic Development Corp. 

Not only were guests satisfied with what they saw but were thoroughly impressed with the dedication and professionalism of all Air Force members and civilian employees they came in contact with on the tour.