Community leaders awed

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott LaForest
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing
SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. --  Anticipation and excitement filled their inner bodies as they anxiously waited for its arrival. 

A wide-eyed, unsuspecting look spread rapidly over their faces as they cautiously entered the boom pod of the 927th ARW KC-135. Much to their amazement, the pitch black, Star Wars-like B-2 Spirit bomber from the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Missouri, virtually filled the boom pod window. Civic leaders were astounded knowing the bomber was only 12 feet from the tanker traveling at approximately 375 miles per hour. 

“That was awesome,” said Carolyn Schmidt, representing Woodside Bible Church in Troy, Mich., after witnessing the bomber being refueled at a lofty altitude of 26,000 feet.
That was a typical reaction of the 13 civic leaders airlifted by the 927th to Scott AFB April 19. 

Refueling was certainly the highlight of the day, which also included visits to Headquarters, U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command. 

“It is very gratifying to have our community leaders from all walks of life take time from their busy schedules to spend a day with us,” said 927th ARW public affairs chief Tom Schmidt. The group consisted of leaders from the private business sector and government agencies around Michigan. 

“It is the wing’s opportunity to tell its story with hopes our guests will return to the community and spread word of the professional job we do,” explained Schmidt. 

As the aircraft access door opened after landing at Scott AFB, Ill., the group was greeted by Colonel Al Lowry, 375th Airlift Wing Operations Group commander, accompanied by Ms. Christine Spargur, 375th AW chief of community relations. 

“You can think of Scott as the military’s moving company,” said Spargur, as she enthusiastically explained the roles of USTRANSCOM and AMC, both headquartered there. 

The group got a taste of military security when separated from their cell phones and other communication devices before entering USTRANSCOM headquarters.
The civic leaders were briefed by Mr.Craig Koontz, USTRANSCOM public affairs, who explained the command’s mission of transporting everything the Department of Defense war fighter needs “from factory to foxhole.” 

Tanker Airlift Control Center at Air Mobility Command headquarters was the final stop on the whirlwind tour. “TACC plans and controls AMC sorties,” said Brigadier General Donald Lustig, TACC vice commander. “Planners and controllers are on duty 24/7 ensuring manpower and resources are in the right place at the right time all around the world.” 

With the ground tour completed, it was time to head for the flight line where the tanker waited to fly our guests’ home to Selfridge. 

The refueling of a B-2 and learning so much about the Air Force in such short time captivated the civic leaders to the point of endlessly talking about their memorable experience and one they will tell their friends and relatives about for years to come.