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McConnell aircraft evacuation protects aircraft, mission, saves taxpayer dollars

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tara Fadenrecht
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan --  Aircrews evacuated a total of 19 KC-135 Stratotankers to Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, and Fairchild AFB, Washington, April 26, coincidentally on the 25th anniversary of the devastating tornado that ripped through McConnell and southwest Kansas in 1991.

"McConnell leadership made the decision, in concert with Lt. Gen. Samuel Cox, 18th Air Force commander, to move aircraft out of the path of the storms," said Maj. Robert Knapp, Operations Support Squadron chief of current operations. "The driving factor was the projected three to four inch hail."

Additionally, four aircraft that were scheduled to return Monday and Tuesday were held off, and maintenance crews placed three remaining on-site tankers in hangars. These decisions potentially saved the Air Force and tax payers billions of dollars in damages.

"Each KC-135 is currently valued at $52 million, so the 23 aircraft that were kept out of the path of the storm are worth nearly $1.2 billion," said Knapp. "While we didn't receive four-inch hail, we did receive golf ball-sized hail that would have likely damaged aircraft surfaces."

Not only were aircraft saved from probable damage, but the 22 Air Refueling Wing mission was protected as well.

"When you consider the size of our KC-135 fleet, McConnell has an enormous impact on our Air Force's ability to project global power," he said. "Our KC-135 fleet is far more valuable than the dollar figure attached to the aircraft.  Additionally, events like this offer an excellent opportunity for us to test and stress our abilities to respond to any number of contingencies that require tanker support." 

The teamwork and quick actions of McConnell Airmen, and the assistance of other bases successfully kept aircraft out of harm's way.

"We appreciate our fellow Airmen from bases across the country helping us continue to execute the vital air refueling mission during yesterday's weather," said  Col. Phil Heseltine, 22nd Air Refueling Wing vice commander. "Moving 19 KC-135s and crews in just over six hours was a true testament to the hard working spirit of McConnell Airmen, our training and the rapid global mobility of the United States Air Force. Over the next few days, our Stratotankers will return home to Kansas."