Here Comes The (Simulated) Fuel Boom!

Published July 17, 2023
By 2nd Lt. Morgan Searcy, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Public Affairs

RICKENBACKER AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ohio -- A group of Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Airmen recently enjoyed a memorable learning experience thanks to the Junior Force Development Program.

The young professionals traveled from across the United States to Rickenbacker ANG Base in Columbus, Ohio on July 12 to learn air refueling processes from the 166^th Air Refueling Squadron. The Junior Force Development Program aims to connect people across the enterprise, from development and acquisitions of weapon systems to field execution.

Junior Force Council members were able to "operate” the boom via a Boom Operator Simulation System. A flying boom is refueling tube. The 166^th Air Refueling Squadron uses the KC-135 Stratotanker for refueling missions.

“This [visit] is an opportunity for them to see their work in action,” explains Colonel Audrey Kawanishi, Air National Guard Advisor to the AFLCMC Commander, regarding the training.

“Doing the engineering, the program management… you’re working that one program and you can get wrapped up in that one piece of it and I think it’s pretty easy to forget there is a user at the end of it,” Col. Kawanishi continued.

Such trips serve to bridge the gap between program managers and users. Young Airmen also learn their role in the execution of the mission.

Junior Force Council members come from diverse acquisition fields and from every major AFLCMC operating location.

“I think it’s cool to see both sides of the coin from doing the engineering side and then seeing [the] warfighter aspect,” says 1^st Lt Rachel Speckin, KC-135 structural engineer. “Being able to come here and work with [the refuelers] in person is really rewarding.”

Air Force leadership hopes to offer the program visit two or three times a year to help young Airmen better understand the connection between support roles and mission execution.

Individuals grouped together. — AFLCMC Junior Force Council Learns About Aerial Refueling

Members of AFLCMC Junior Force council travel to Ohio's Rickenbacker ANG base to observe aerial refueling via simulator on 12 July, 2023. (USAF photo by 2nd Lt. Morgan Searcy.)

AFLCMC Junior Force Council Learns About Aerial Refueling

AFLCMC Junior Force Council Learns About Aerial Refueling

AFLCMC Junior Force Council Learns About Aerial Refueling

AFLCMC Junior Force Council Learns About Aerial Refueling

AFLCMC Junior Force Council Learns About Aerial Refueling

AFLCMC Junior Force Council Learns About Aerial Refueling