McConnell Air Force Base

Contractor Strike At McConnell AFB Enters Sixth Week

By • Mar 19, 2019
IAMAW Local Lodge 708

A contractor strike at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita is entering its sixth week.

Seventeen machinists union members who work for FlightSafety Services Corporation walked off the job in mid-February. The workers rejected FlightSafety’s contract offer because the agreement did not include a government designation that determines wages. Last week, union members rejected a "return-to-work" agreement.

Contractor Strike At McConnell AFB Could Impact KC-46 Training

By • Feb 12, 2019
Deborah Shaar / KMUW

The workers who do training for refueling crews at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita are on strike.

Seventeen members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union walked off the job Tuesday morning, and plan to picket outside McConnell 12 hours a day.

KC-46 Touches Down In Wichita After Years Of Preparation, Waiting

By • Jan 25, 2019
Stephan Bisaha

After several delays, McConnell Air Force Base received not one but two new KC-46 tankers on Friday.

Air Force Confirms Tanker Delivery To McConnell AFB

By • Jan 10, 2019
U.S. Air Force

Air Force officials announced Thursday that KC-46 Pegasus air refueling tankers will arrive at McConnell Air Force Base within three weeks.

Mission Training At McConnell AFB Ongoing Despite Uncertain Air Tanker Delivery Date

By • Jan 9, 2019
Deborah Shaar / KMUW

McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita has been preparing for its next generation of air refueling tankers for more than four years.

Military and Boeing leaders have not yet announced a new delivery date for the KC-46 Pegasus tankers. Plans for a December arrival fell through.

In the meantime, Air Force crews continue to train for missions aboard the larger and more complex Boeing-built air refueling planes.

Pentagon Leadership Change Reportedly Affected KC-46 Tanker Delivery To McConnell AFB

By • Jan 3, 2019
File photo

McConnell Air Force Base in southeast Wichita was supposed to receive new air refueling tankers by the end of 2018, but that did not happen.

Boeing is building the KC-46 Pegasus tankers and was planning for the delivery until Defense Secretary Jim Mattis resigned abruptly two weeks ago.

McConnell AFB Setting Training Standards For New Tanker Program

By • Sep 23, 2018
U.S. Air Force

McConnell Air Force Base in southeast Wichita is developing the standards for training and processes for the new KC-46 air refueling tanker program.

New Refueling Tankers For McConnell Meet FAA Requirements; On Track To Arrive Next Month

By • Sep 5, 2018
Boeing

After nearly three years of testing, Boeing’s KC-46 tanker program has completed its final Federal Aviation Administration certification, the company said in a news release Wednesday.

 

The certification was one of the last major hurdles standing between the KC-46 and its delivery to McConnell Air Force Base.

 

The first tanker is expected to be delivered to McConnell next month.

 

McConnell Air Force Base Preparing For Weekend Air Show

By • Sep 4, 2018
http://afthunderbirds.com

McConnell Air Force Base in southeast Wichita is preparing to open the gates to the public this weekend for its first air show in six years.

Nearly 70 planes will pack the runway and ramp end to end for the Frontiers in Flight Air Show and Open House. Dozens of exhibits and STEM educational activities will be in nearby hangars.

Air show director Major Pete Merrill says just about every military aircraft in the Department of Defense will be on display along with planes from Wichita manufacturers.

WSU, McConnell Team Up For New Education Initiative

By • Aug 23, 2018
flickr Creative Commons

Wichita State University and McConnell Air Force Base announced a partnership Thursday that will allow military personnel to work toward a bachelor’s degree while on base.

The program began Monday with the start of the fall semester. Military personnel can work toward any of seven degrees, including in business, engineering technology/cybersecurity, psychology and sociology.

Military members and veterans are underrepresented on college campuses, and the partnership is an attempt to address the issue.

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