WICHITA, Kan. -- 
Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple read a proclamation declaring May 17, 2022, as 184th Wing Appreciation Day during a city council meeting at City Hall. The proclamation highlighted the 184th Wing’s contributions to Wichita and the state of Kansas.
The proclamation reads as follows:
PROCLAMATION
Of
The City of Wichita, Kansas
Founded in 1870
WHERAS The 184th Wing, Kansas Air National Guard, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas is comprised of nearly 1400 men and women who defend the nation with combat support and protect the state with ready and capable disaster response. Over half of those airmen live in Wichita and its surrounding communities.
WHERAS The 184th Wing, Kansas Air National Guard, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas is recognized as a valuable contributor to the economic well-being of the City of Wichita and surrounding communities, providing annually nearly 117 million dollars in local economic impact.
WHERAS The 184th Wing, Kansas Air National Guard, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas is recognized as the most operationally diverse wing in the Air National Guard, with three distinct and unique missions: Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance; Battlefield Command and Control; and Cyberspace Operations.
WHERAS The 184th Wing, Kansas Air National Guard, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas is recognized as a local leader in information technology, with the Cyberspace Operations Group serving as a talent hub for industry and enterprise as Wichita rapidly becomes “Silicon Prairie”-- a cost-effective alternative headquarters location for tech savvy business.
WHERAS The 184th Wing, Kansas Air National Guard, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas is recognized for the valuable assistance of nearly 60 airmen locally and statewide in support of COVID-19 testing and relief efforts, enabling critical medical and food distribution missions.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that I, Brandon Whipple, Mayor of the City of Wichita, Kansas along with the Wichita City Council, do hereby proclaim that May 17, 2022 be declared:
184th WING APPRECIATION DAY
In the City of Wichita and encourage all citizens to thank the airmen of the 184th Wing for their contributions to the peace and security of Wichita and to learn about exciting job opportunities available in the wing.
Col. Jason Knobbe, commander of the 184th Wing, expressed his thanks to the unit’s Airmen for their selfless service, and to the City of Wichita for their partnership and continued support.
“Thank you, Mr. Mayor and the Wichita City Council for the opportunity to recognize the talented group of citizen Airmen at the 184th Wing,” said Knobbe. “Over 480 of our nearly 1,200 Airmen live within the city limits of Wichita and 750 reside within the Wichita metropolitan area.
“These Airmen represent the best of the Wichita community, working or going to school full time while serving their nation and community part time. These Airmen have served our nation around the globe and assisted the community during the pandemic while remaining prepared to support to support Kansas communities when natural disasters strike.
“The City of Wichita is a great civic partner with the Kansas Air National Guard and we appreciate your support in recognizing our outstanding Airmen.”
