Community leaders tour Tinker Air Force Base

  • Published
  • By John Scaggs
  • Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Community leaders from 11 states with ties to Air Force Materiel Command visited one of the command's three depot repair bases -- Tinker AFB, Okla. -- May 1-3 as part of AFMC's Community Leadership Program. 

The program increases community leaders' awareness and understanding of the Air Force's role in national security by inviting groups of civilian opinion leaders to witness the Air Force mission by touring an AFMC base. In return, attendees disseminate information to various publics about the Air Force's programs. 

Among those from Ohio who participated in the program were Jim Hoehn, president of National City Bank and Riverside Mayor Ken Curp. 

During their visit, they received briefings and toured the 552nd Air Control Wing, where they learned about the E-3 Sentry (an airborne warning and control system aircraft).
However, the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center is the primary unit on Tinker. The center repairs and maintains a variety of aircraft, including bombers, refuelers and reconnaissance aircraft such as the B-1, B-52, C/KC-135, E-3 and the Navy's E-6 aircraft. 

Community leaders learned that Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center manages and maintains a $49.1-billion inventory of more than 30,615 engines. The center is also responsible for more than 2,982 missiles and 45,036 accessories, which support thousands of aircraft, including Air Force One. 

The group toured the B-2 and KC-135 areas within the air logistics center. However, it was information about the KC-135 - currently the Air Force's air refueling aircraft -- that helped Mr. Hoehn understand why the Air Force's number one acquisition priority is the new aerial refueling tanker known as the KC-X. 

"The aircraft in the KC-135 Stratotanker fleet are an average age of 45 years old," said Mr. Hoehn. "It's amazing that the Air Force has modified and maintained this plane for nearly 50 years. 

"Consider ... how many of us have been driving the same vehicle for 50 years?" Mr. Hoehn continued. "Furthermore, what would it take to keep that vehicle running if it was driven every day? 

"From what we learned on this trip, the KC-X would have a primary mission of aerial refueling but also be able to carry cargo as well as airlifting personnel," said Mr. Hoehn. "So we're talking about a plane that would increase our capability. When you consider the sacrifices the men and women in our armed forces make every day, the cost of such an asset seems like a small price to pay."