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AMC vice commander pilots final tanker to leave Grand Forks AFB

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachel Waller
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The final KC-135 Stratotanker, piloted by Lt. Gen. Vern "Rusty" Findley, Air Mobility Command vice-commander, and Col. Don Shaffer, 319th Air Refueling Wing commander, departed from Grand Forks Air Force Base Dec. 4 at 10:59 a.m. to McConnell AFB, Kan.

The departure of this aircraft signaled the end to the rich history of the KC-135 air refueling mission.

"I started my career here in 1978, with the 905th Air Refueling Squadron," said General Findley. "I came back 20 years later, in 1999 as the wing commander. I am honored and privileged to be a part of this ceremony."

The first KC-135 arrived at Grand Forks AFB in May of 1960 as a part of the 905th ARS.

"This base and its mission were a very critical role in our national defense," said General Findley.

Grand Forks AFB has supported nuclear alert missions during the cold war, to combat support and humanitarian missions past and current conflicts including Vietnam, Panama, Bosnia, Haiti, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

"With this event, I think this puts the focus on the new Global Hawk mission," said General Findley. "This command has been focusing on making this a smooth transition to the new mission.

I think when you look at what is happening in the Air Force these days, the new mission is an extremely prominent role in what we, the Air Force, provide to the joint warfighter. As Grand Forks AFB turns the page, it will continue to play a critical role."

The first Global Hawk is scheduled to arrive in the summer of 2011.