News
February WAC Luncheon Features MAFB Officers, President Day Discount
February 3, 2009 11:42am
Presidents Day Discount Offered for Reservists and Active Duty Military Attendees Wichita, KS —Colonel James C. Vechery, commander of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing at McConnell Air Force Base, will be the featured speaker at this month’s luncheon of the Wichita Aero Club. The luncheon will take place Monday, February 16, at noon at the Wichita Airport Hilton and will also include an update on the expanding role of reservists from Colonel Archie Frye, commander of the 931st Air Refueling Group, and the presentation of colors by McConnell’s Honor Guard. In honor of Presidents Day, active duty military personnel and reservists will be admitted to the luncheon for $25 each. Colonel Vechery will offer the most up-to-date insights into topics of current interest including the recently announced growth of McConnell’s tanker fleet, which makes it the world’s largest tanker base and the only Total Force base. McConnell’s current mobility mission involves all-weather, in-flight aerial refueling for U.S. and allied military aircraft, including support of aircraft operating in the Middle East.
Col. Vechery came to Wichita from Andrews Air Force Base, home base of Air Force One, where he was vice commander of the 89th Airlift Wing which is responsible for flying the President. Now in his 21st year in the Air Force, the colonel is a graduate of the University of Maryland and holds a Master of Arts degree from Webster University. He is a senior pilot with more than 2,900 hours of flight time in aircraft ranging from the T-37 and T-38 to the KC-135 to the C-5A/B, the Air Force’s largest transport.
Col. Edsel A. “Archie” Frye Jr., Commander of the 931st Air Refueling Group, will explain the expanding role of the Air Force Reserve at McConnell. Together with the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, the 931st ARG supports the Air Mobility Command’s worldwide aerial refueling mission enabling global vigilance, reach and airpower. Col. Frye started his military career in 1976, enlisting in the Air Force and serving as a crew chief, phase inspector and flight engineer before piloting the A-10, B-52H, KC-135R and C-141C aircraft. He graduated from Southern Illinois University and earned a Master of Science in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Col. Frye has deployed repeatedly as a command pilot with more than 3,500 flying hours.
Luncheon tickets can be purchased online using PayPal at www.WichitaAeroClub.org. Attendees may also pay at the door.
