McConnell maintainers power KC-46, KC-135 operations in the Pacific
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --
AMC's participation in the DLE strengthens and demonstrates the U.S. Air Force’s ability to reach theater at speed and scale, sustain operations, and rapidly pivot to any theater of operation at a moment’s notice, while maintaining the strategic initiative.
As a part of that support, the 22nd AMXS assisted in the launch of approximately 8-10 sorties each day, oftentimes implementing a quick-turn inspection to prepare a jet for more than one flight a day.
They integrated with Airmen from Pease Air National Guard Base, New Hampshire; MacDill Air Force Base, Florida; Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana; and Bangor Air National Guard Base, Maine, to keep 15 KC-46s and KC-135s ready and able to support Agile Combat Employment in the Indo-Pacific region during the exercise.
“Right now, we’re working pretty close in hand with the Pease unit,” said Senior Airman Carlos Gutierrez, 22nd AMXS KC-46 flying crew chief. “It’s been pretty smooth working with them. They work almost the exact same way we do. We’ve integrated pretty easily.”
Without maintainers working around the clock to launch and fix aircraft, the Air Force would not be as agile and ready for long-range airlift missions. Tankers play a vital role in the fight against the tyranny of distance, and proper maintenance of those aircraft is key to successful air refueling operations.
“The KC-135 and KC-46 were here to ensure there was aerial refueling any time it was needed,” Eidson said. “We make sure they're in the right place, at the right time so they can accomplish whatever follow-on mission they have.”
AMC is a critical component of the DLE series, validating the U.S. Air Force’s ability to project and sustain the Joint Force, Allies and partners across vast distances in scenarios where air and space superiority, power projection, and global mobility are contested. The 22nd AMXS Airmen’s participation in the DLE provides the flexibility and speed required to meet those objectives.
“I’m very impressed with how well McConnell has integrated with our sister units to make this happen,” Eidson said. “This exercise would not have happened if it were not for those maintainers providing that expert, professional, safe, and reliable maintenance day in and day out. I couldn’t be prouder.”
The 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assigned to McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, supported Rapid Global Mobility by sending more than 60 Airmen to launch and maintain KC-46 Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotankers during the U.S. Air Force’s 2025 Department-Level Exercise series July 7-26, 2025.
AMC's participation in the DLE strengthens and demonstrates the U.S. Air Force’s ability to reach theater at speed and scale, sustain operations, and rapidly pivot to any theater of operation at a moment’s notice, while maintaining the strategic initiative.
As a part of that support, the 22nd AMXS assisted in the launch of approximately 8-10 sorties each day, oftentimes implementing a quick-turn inspection to prepare a jet for more than one flight a day.
They integrated with Airmen from Pease Air National Guard Base, New Hampshire; MacDill Air Force Base, Florida; Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana; and Bangor Air National Guard Base, Maine, to keep 15 KC-46s and KC-135s ready and able to support Agile Combat Employment in the Indo-Pacific region during the exercise.
“Right now, we’re working pretty close in hand with the Pease unit,” said Senior Airman Carlos Gutierrez, 22nd AMXS KC-46 flying crew chief. “It’s been pretty smooth working with them. They work almost the exact same way we do. We’ve integrated pretty easily.”
Without maintainers working around the clock to launch and fix aircraft, the Air Force would not be as agile and ready for long-range airlift missions. Tankers play a vital role in the fight against the tyranny of distance, and proper maintenance of those aircraft is key to successful air refueling operations.
“The KC-135 and KC-46 were here to ensure there was aerial refueling any time it was needed,” Eidson said. “We make sure they're in the right place, at the right time so they can accomplish whatever follow-on mission they have.”
AMC is a critical component of the DLE series, validating the U.S. Air Force’s ability to project and sustain the Joint Force, Allies and partners across vast distances in scenarios where air and space superiority, power projection, and global mobility are contested. The 22nd AMXS Airmen’s participation in the DLE provides the flexibility and speed required to meet those objectives.
“I’m very impressed with how well McConnell has integrated with our sister units to make this happen,” Eidson said. “This exercise would not have happened if it were not for those maintainers providing that expert, professional, safe, and reliable maintenance day in and day out. I couldn’t be prouder.”
