McConnell loses 'one of its finest' Published March 4, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Ronald Lafosse 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- McConnell Air Force Base lost one of its finest officers this week. Col. Michael V. Krueger, 22nd Air Refueling Wing vice commander, passed away March 3. The colonel served the wing honorably and with great distinction since May 2008. "He was an outstanding officer, but it goes deeper than that, it's the leadership qualities that he portrayed," said Chief Master Sgt. James Morman, 22nd Air Refueling Wing interim command chief. In his role, Colonel Krueger assisted Col. James C. Vechery, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander, in providing all-weather, in-flight, aerial refueling for the United States and allied military aircraft, as well as Global Reach airlift for the rapid and precise projection of troops, equipment and supplies worldwide. Colonel Krueger previously served as Chief of the Programs Division at Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., where he planned and programmed the command's forces to include 55,000 personnel and acquisitions of more than 700 aircraft at 12 bases. "He met every challenge with a smile," said Chief Morman. "No matter how bad or good it was, he had that goofy grin. He never put himself before anyone else." "He was a devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend who epitomized the Air Force core values as a wingman, leader, and warrior, and he will be greatly missed by all the members of our Team McConnell family," said Colonel Vechery. "This is not a time for us to be sad, but a time for us to rejoice in Colonel Krueger's life," said Chief Morman. "We will miss him, but we will carry on."