Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall III visited the Kansas Air National Guard’s 184th Wing, based at McConnell Air Force Base, Wichita, April 3. Kendall was greeted by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and Kansas National Guard leadership, then given a tour of the 184th Wing and briefed on its mission. Kendall had an opportunity to meet and speak to Airmen conducting missions for the 184th Cyber Operations Group, 184th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group and the 134th Air Control Squadron.
“Every day, our Guardsmen make a difference for our state and nation,” said Maj. Gen. David Weishaar, Kansas adjutant general. “It is always an honor to showcase their great work to national leadership.”
“It was an honor and a privilege to have Secretary of the Air Force Kendall visit the 184th Wing and Team McConnell,” said Col. Jason Knobbe, commander 184th Wing. “We take pride in highlighting our Fighting Jayhawks and the work they do in accomplishing our Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Cyber Operations and Command and Control missions.”
After touring the wing, Kendall continued his tour of McConnell AFB with the 22nd Air Refueling Wing and the 931st Air Refueling Wing. Kendall took a tour of a KC-135 Stratotanker air refueling aircraft and took a flight in the U.S. Air Force’s latest refueling aircraft, the KC-46 Pegasus.
As the secretary of the Air Force, Kendall leads the Department of the Air Force, comprised of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. He is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping these forces and for the welfare of nearly 700,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian Airmen and their families. As the department’s senior leader overseeing an annual budget of more than $168 billion, Kendall directs strategy, policy, acquisitions, technology, personnel, and risk management. He implements decisions of the President of the United States and Congress and fulfills combatant commanders’ operational requirements.
Photos of this event can be found at 184th Wing | Facebook