Forging the 46

By Senior Airman Dillon Davis, 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs / Published August 30, 2016

1 of 7

DOWNLOAD HI-RES / PHOTO DETAILS

U.S. Air Force leaders and community partners cut a ribbon during the “Forging the 46” ceremony, Aug. 30, 2016, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. The event consisted of an assumption of command for the reactivated 56th Air Refueling Squadron, dedication of the new KC-46 training facility, speeches from key Air Force and community leaders and concluded with a tour of the new facility for attendees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dillon Davis)

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Members of the Altus Air Force Base Blue Knights Honor Guard present the colors during the “Forging the 46” ceremony, Aug. 30, 2016, at Altus AFB, Okla. The event consisted of an assumption of command for the reactivated 56th Air Refueling Squadron, dedication of the new KC-46 training facility, speeches from key Air Force and community leaders and concluded with a tour of the new facility for attendees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dillon Davis)

2 of 7

DOWNLOAD HI-RES / PHOTO DETAILS

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Members of the Altus Air Force Base Blue Knights Honor Guard present the colors during the “Forging the 46” ceremony, Aug. 30, 2016, at Altus AFB, Okla. The event consisted of an assumption of command for the reactivated 56th Air Refueling Squadron, dedication of the new KC-46 training facility, speeches from key Air Force and community leaders and concluded with a tour of the new facility for attendees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dillon Davis)

Members of the Altus Air Force Base Blue Knights Honor Guard, present the colors during the “Forging the 46” ceremony, Aug. 30, 2016, at Altus AFB, Okla. The event consisted of an assumption of command for the reactivated 56th Air Refueling Squadron, dedication of the new KC-46 training facility, speeches from key Air Force and community leaders and concluded with a tour of the new facility for attendees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody Dowell/Released)

3 of 7

DOWNLOAD HI-RES / PHOTO DETAILS

Members of the Altus Air Force Base Blue Knights Honor Guard, present the colors during the “Forging the 46” ceremony, Aug. 30, 2016, at Altus AFB, Okla. The event consisted of an assumption of command for the reactivated 56th Air Refueling Squadron, dedication of the new KC-46 training facility, speeches from key Air Force and community leaders and concluded with a tour of the new facility for attendees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody Dowell/Released)

U.S. Sen. James Lankford, from Oklahoma, gives a speech at the “Forging the 46” event, Aug. 30, 2016, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. The event consisted of an assumption of command for the reactivated 56th Air Refueling Squadron, dedication of the new KC-46 training facility, speeches from key Air Force and community leaders and concluded with a tour of the new facility for attendees. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Jackson N. Haddon/Released).

4 of 7

DOWNLOAD HI-RES / PHOTO DETAILS

U.S. Sen. James Lankford, from Oklahoma, gives a speech at the “Forging the 46” event, Aug. 30, 2016, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. The event consisted of an assumption of command for the reactivated 56th Air Refueling Squadron, dedication of the new KC-46 training facility, speeches from key Air Force and community leaders and concluded with a tour of the new facility for attendees. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Jackson N. Haddon/Released).

Dr. Joe Leverett, Chairman of the Altus Military Affairs Committee, along with U.S. Air Force Col. Todd Hohn, commander of the 97th Air Mobility Wing, and U.S. Air Force Gen. Carlton Everhart II, pose for a photo at the “Forging the 46” event, Aug. 30, 2016, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. The event consisted of an assumption of command for the reactivated 56th Air Refueling Squadron, dedication of the new KC-46 training facility, speeches from key Air Force and community leaders and concluded with a tour of the new facility for attendees. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Jackson N. Haddon/Released).

5 of 7

DOWNLOAD HI-RES / PHOTO DETAILS

Dr. Joe Leverett, Chairman of the Altus Military Affairs Committee, along with U.S. Air Force Col. Todd Hohn, commander of the 97th Air Mobility Wing, and U.S. Air Force Gen. Carlton Everhart II, pose for a photo at the “Forging the 46” event, Aug. 30, 2016, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. The event consisted of an assumption of command for the reactivated 56th Air Refueling Squadron, dedication of the new KC-46 training facility, speeches from key Air Force and community leaders and concluded with a tour of the new facility for attendees. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Jackson N. Haddon/Released).

U.S. Air Force General Carlton Everhart II, commander of Air Mobility Command, answers questions from reporters after the “Forging the 46” ceremony, Aug. 30, 2016, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. The event consisted of an assumption of command for the reactivated 56th Air Refueling Squadron, dedication of the new KC-46 training facility, speeches from key Air Force and community leaders and concluded with a tour of the new facility for attendees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody Dowell/Released)

6 of 7

DOWNLOAD HI-RES / PHOTO DETAILS

U.S. Air Force General Carlton Everhart II, commander of Air Mobility Command, answers questions from reporters after the “Forging the 46” ceremony, Aug. 30, 2016, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. The event consisted of an assumption of command for the reactivated 56th Air Refueling Squadron, dedication of the new KC-46 training facility, speeches from key Air Force and community leaders and concluded with a tour of the new facility for attendees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody Dowell/Released)

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin shakes hands with U.S. Air Force Col. Charles Ohliger, 97th Air Mobility Wing vice commander, as she prepares to leave after the “Forging the 46” event, Aug. 30, 2016, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. The event consisted of an assumption of command for the reactivated 56th Air Refueling Squadron, dedication of the new KC-46 training facility, speeches from key Air Force and community leaders and concluded with a tour of the new facility for attendees. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Jackson N. Haddon/Released).

7 of 7

DOWNLOAD HI-RES / PHOTO DETAILS

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin shakes hands with U.S. Air Force Col. Charles Ohliger, 97th Air Mobility Wing vice commander, as she prepares to leave after the “Forging the 46” event, Aug. 30, 2016, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. The event consisted of an assumption of command for the reactivated 56th Air Refueling Squadron, dedication of the new KC-46 training facility, speeches from key Air Force and community leaders and concluded with a tour of the new facility for attendees. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Jackson N. Haddon/Released).

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – -- The event consisted of an assumption of command for the reactivated 56th ARS, dedication of the Leverett Formal Training Center, speeches from key Air Force and community leaders and concluded with a tour of the new facility for attendees and members of the media.

The 56th ARS will be the formal training unit for the USAF’s next-generation refueling aircraft. The integration of the KC-46 into the Air Force is one of the top three aircraft modernization programs intended to maintain global vigilance, reach and power.

“Today’s event marks an important milestone for AETC and the United States Air Force,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, commander of Air Education and Training Command. “Safety, proficiency and the ability to make the complex seem routine were the hallmark of the Air Force’s refueling training with Altus AFB leading the way. Today, we stand again, on the shoulders of giants, as we reach a new milestone in dedicating our newest formal training unit, the 56th Air Refueling Squadron.”

The activation of the 56th ARS included the assumption of command by U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Daniel Ruttenber. The new training center is vital to future U.S. Air Force aerial refueling and joint service operations since it will serve as the first stop for all KC-46 aircrew members.

“Members of the 56th ARS are AETC’s and the Air Force’s first KC-46 aircrew members,” said Ruttenber. “The 56th ARS activation and dedication of the formal training unit is truly a paradigm shift in air refueling and continuation of the long tradition of the 56th."

Community partners made a point to recognize the unique partnership between Altus AFB and the City of Altus.

“With the KC-46 coming to Altus, a lot of good things are going to happen and it’s all thanks to the community,” said U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe from Oklahoma.

The 56th ARS will begin training aircrew members in fall of 2016. KC-46 aircrew students train using pilot and boom operator simulators to conduct hands-on training before in-flight training missions.