Spokane-area school district superintendents experience Rapid Global Mobility

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jesenia Landaverde
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Team Fairchild hosted Spokane-area school district superintendents to experience and learn about the 92nd Air Refueling Wing mission first-hand July 18.

Airmen dedicate their lives to support their country and the communities within it. Educating surrounding community leaders on the Air Force mission helps build a support network for current service members and their families while providing insight into the military mission to recruit future Airmen.

“Many of us have children and students who are interested in joining the military and learning about everything it takes to serve,” said Kimberly Headrick, Medical Lake School District assistant superintendent. “The flight was an amazing opportunity and helps us, as school leaders, to better understand the Air Force to prepare students interested in joining.”

The percentage of new military recruits has decreased; less than .4 percent serves today, according to a Defense Manpower Data Center report. This has brought about the rise of a “Warrior Caste.” While the United States possesses a more ready and professional military than ever before, the majority of current service members come from multigenerational military families, according to The Center for a New American Security.

As the Air Force enhances their partnerships with schools, educators gain more insight into Air Force opportunities and can enhance student’s educational experiences. This partnership benefits recruiting while creating a more efficient way for Airmen and their families to address education concerns.

“We are all here to put forth for our military children and students,” said Steve McMullen, Airman & Family Readiness Center school liaison specialist. “Fairchild is proud to partner with our local school districts; they have a stake in our children’s future and we trust them to provide a good education.”

This year marks the 60th year the KC-135 Stratotanker has been at Fairchild AFB. With nearly 155 KC-135s assigned to active-duty and more than 170 assigned to the Air National Guard, Fairchild’s 44 birds make it the largest tanker fleet in the world.

“The Air Force is a technological service, always seeking innovation and cutting edge ideas, always trying to drive forward,” said Col. Derek Salmi, 92nd ARW commander. “We’re invested in making sure we have the best education for our Airmen now and for those in the future who will join the Air Force. We appreciate this opportunity to show our mission and continue to build those partnerships going forward.”

Our tanker fleet is what gives [the Air Force] air superiority. We can get to any part of the world, whether it be to deliver justice or hope and a helping hand to those in need, and Airmen are all very proud to be a part of that mission, Salmi added.