MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. -- MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. –
The 927th Air Refueling Wing, a reserve component of the Air Force, relies greatly on the support we gain through our partnerships with the Tampa Bay community.
The Honorary Commander program at the 927 ARW strives to educate our community leaders on our mission and foster strong supportive relationships for our Citizen
Airmen.
On May 12, more than 15 civic leaders from the Tampa Bay community participated in a refueling mission and received a tour of Homestead Air Reserve Base in Miami,
Fl.
Before departing from MacDill AFB Col. Kurt Matthews, 927 ARW Commander, started off by welcoming our Honorary Commanders and thanking them for being an asset
to the wing and our Airmen.
“Our Honorary Commander program is one of the best I’ve seen and has been recognized above the wing level,” said Matthews. “Many of you know so much about our
wing already and your support is highly appreciated.”
The Honorary Commanders were talked through the flight plan which included the refueling of three F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft from the 482nd Fighter Wing, landing
at Homestead Air Reserve Base and receiving a base tour before returning back to MacDill AFB.
“It is such a privilege to be able to see the refueling mission from the boom pod,” said Nancy Newkirk, 927 ARW Honorary Commander. “Hearing stories and seeing the
mission makes you appreciate it that much more.”
The Honorary Commander’s tour at Homestead ARB really honed in on the total force aspect of the military. The 125th Fighter Wing from the Florida Air National Guard
performed a scramble which replicated a real-life alert call, Special Operations Command South gave a brief and showed their memorial site, and the Coast Guard’s
Maritime Safety and Security Team ended the day with a mission brief and allowed the Honorary Commanders to step inside a response boat.
The Honorary Commanders left with greater insight of the mission of the 927 ARW – “Combat Ready Citizen Airmen Fueling the Fight.”