Up to their necks in pre-flight checks...

A pair of pilots assigned to the 18th Air Refueling Squadron, 931st Air Refueling Group, inspect a KC-135 Stratotanker on the flight line prior to takeoff at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. The KC-135 provides the core aerial refueling capability for the U.S. Air Force and has been performing in this role for more than 50 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Zach Anderson)

Employer Orientation

Lt. Col. Tsuyoshi Tung, pilot, 18th ARS, speaks with his civilian supervisor from Hawker Beechcraft, Eric Kivett following the employer orientation flight, May 5. Tung flew the aircraft that transported the employers. (Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brannen Parrish)

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Maj. Jon Pece, 18th Air Refueling Group, loads M-9 ammunition into a magazine in preparation for firing during M-9 pistol qualification course held during the March Unit Training Assembly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staf

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Maj. Jon Pece, 18th Air Refueling Group, loads M-9 ammunition into a magazine in preparation for firing during M-9 pistol qualification course, March 4. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Carrie Peasinger)

McConnell Media Day

Daniel McCoy, a reporter with the Wichita Business Journal, looks on as Staff Sgt. Tom Wicks, a refueling boom operator assigned to the 18th Air Refueling Squadron, 931st Air Refueling Group, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., flies the boom during a McConnell Air Force Base media day orientation flight, Jan. 24, 2012. The media day flights featured aircrews made up of members of both the active duty 22nd Air Refueling Wing and the Reserve 931st Air Refueling Group. Media members on the flights were able to observe the air refueling of both a KC-135 Stratotanker and a B-52 Stratofortress. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Zach Anderson)

Odyssey Dawn

Lt. Col. Michael Schlotterback and Capt. Chris Kidd of the 18th ARS, 931st ARG review the flight checklist prior to deploying in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn, March 21. The 931st Airmen were the first AFRC refueling unit to arrive in support of the NATO operation. (Air Force photo by Capt. Tim Wade)

Past meets present

Former 18th Air Refueling Squadron commanders, retired Lt. Col. Ellis Yoder, retired Col. Ron Johnston, retired Col. Clayton Childs, retired Col. Randy Foster, Col. Ted Matthews, who now serves as the Vice Commander 927th Air Refueling Wing and current 18th ARS Commander, Lt. Col. Tony Brusca pose for a photo following the retirement of Colonel Childs. Colonel Childs, a Kansas native, served at McConnell Air Force Base for 10 years.