McConnell, AMC Airmen attend A/TA convention

Published Nov. 8, 2011
By Senior Airman Courtney Witt
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan -- More than 4,000 active-duty, Guard and Reserve members of Air Mobility Command gathered at the 43nd Airlift/Tanker Association Conference and Symposium Nov. 3 to 6 in Nashville, Tenn.

During three days of briefings, AMC Airmen, including more than 80 Airmen from McConnell, were addressed by Marine Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Maj. Gen. Craig N. Gourley, Air Force Reserve Command commander, and Air Force Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., AMC commander.

Battaglia announced the chairman's four themes to be implemented during Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey's tenure.

"We will achieve our national objective in the current conflicts, develop joint force 2020, renew our commitment to the profession of arms and keep faith with our military family,"

Battaglia added there is no question about the Air Force's commitment to the current conflicts.

"Airmen are neck deep in the fight," he said. "Without your efforts, other branches could not complete the fight, and I am damn glad you are there."

With 9,000 AMC Airmen deployed, McConnell accounts for nearly 10 percent of this number. McConnell Airmen are currently deployed to 30 locations worldwide, supporting air refueling operations from bases throughout Southwest Asia, and are directly assigned to U.S. Army units on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In addition to deployments, Battaglia addressed another issue on many minds - budget cuts. He acknowledged the Nation's need to reduce its spending.

"Bottom line is, we are in debt," said Battaglia. "In order to pay back that debt, we have to shave off a little here and there, and that will come in the form of smaller pay raises and fewer entitlements. Some of the luxuries we have enjoyed may no longer be there in the future."

No decisions have been made yet, he assured, but the Department of Defense is evaluating the impact of reducing or eliminating certain entitlements.

"I am most concerned about the enlisted retirement," said Battaglia. "I thought it was odd that when I conducted town hall meetings, Airmen who are 18 and 19 year olds are asking if their retirement will be affected. Then I realized that this is an issue. We are hoping that we can grandfather in current enlisted Airmen so their future will not be affected."

During the A/TA conference Airmen selected from 50 available seminars on numerous topics including an update on the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, lessons learned in planning multiple operations, meet Gail Halvorsen "the Candy Bomber," the future of air drop and the year in review.

While the day was based on educational opportunities, nightfall promoted competition and esprit de corps. Fourteen AMC teams showed off their skills at the10th Annual Crud Tournament.

McConnell brought three dedicated five-man crud teams to compete in the A/TA tournament. In the final matches, McConnell's White Team defeated its Red Team to win the championship. McConnell's Blue Team placed fourth in the competition.

According to Shawn Hinkle, 22nd Medical Group facility manager, each team prepared for two months prior to the conference. Hinkle competed on the White Team and organized McConnell crud competitors.

"We have been practicing Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at lunch when people could make it out," said Hinkle. "We prepared pretty hard and knew we would be the best prepared team here."

McConnell won the first crud tournament held at the A/TA conference in 2001, and this is their first win since.

"We have taken second the last two years," said Hinkle. "So it was nice to receive first and second this year," said Hinkle.

For years, crud has been a competition dominated by pilots, said Capt. John Gremminger, 344th Air Refueling Squadron flight commander.

"Crud has really turned into more than just an operations-oriented activity," said Gremminger, who competed on McConnell's Red Team. "It's amazing how this has turned into a whole wing effort. It's another great opportunity for McConnell Airmen to come together as a team and excel."

After Lt. Gen. Robert R. Allardice, AMC vice commander, and Gen. Walter Kross, A/TA chairman recognized McConnell's Airmen for their success in the tournament, Johns concluded the conference with closing remarks including its constant dedication to service.

The Air Force was created in 1947, and since then Airmen have answered the call to service. Whether it is delivering supplies to entrenched forces, delivering fuel in the sky to support the warfighter or helping medevac injured people, the Air Force plays a crucial role, Johns said.

"If I look at what we do with airlift and airdrop -- (Airmen are) delivering hope; if I look at air refueling -(Airmen are) fueling the fight; if I look at air medical - (Airmen are) saving lives. This is what we do, this is us. We are unstoppable. They have answered the call -- think of the lives and the faces they have touched and the history they have rewritten. I don't know when the next call will be made, I don't know what the next call will ask, but I know someone, somewhere will need something, and I know an Airman will pick up that phone and answer and say 'yes' we can. Together we are a part of this great, great team."