Jayhawk Flyer

The Official Newsletter of the 184th Wing

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March 2024

FROM THE TOP

Col. David M. Hewlett
Commander

Jayhawks,

I wanted to take a few minutes and reiterate how honored I am to be your commander! I am excited for the opportunity to work with all of you in my new position and to face the challenges ahead. 

I believe that one of the most critical aspects of any leadership position is to ensure everyone knows and understands the expectations that are required of them. As a result, I briefed all the Group Commanders, Squadron Commanders, and Senior Enlisted Leaders over March drill. The briefings focused on our new Mission, Vision, and Priorities and how we will execute them to prepare for ALL threats to our Nation. Senior leaders will ensure these expectations are communicated to all Jayhawks and will make decisions based on these focus areas. I feel this is critical for me to be an effective leader, but more importantly it is a key component to the effectiveness of all our missions.

The importance of the Air Force’s mission and inherent responsibility to the Nation requires all Jayhawks to adhere to higher standards. We must ALL adhere to those standards and hold our fellow Jayhawks accountable. This applies to home station or forward deployed, encompasses the actions, values and standards Jayhawks live by every day, whether on or off duty. It is an honor to serve in the military and we should all be proud of our high standards; it is part of our Airman’s Creed to be “faithful to a proud heritage, a tradition of honor, and a legacy of valor.”

All commanders hold the authority and responsibility to lead their units to accomplish the mission, but it is every Jayhawk’s charge to meet mission requirements. We will focus our execution responsibilities on our 1) Primary Missions (day-to-day, in-garrison, expeditionary/deployed), 2) Readiness (adaptable, agile force able to fight, protect, and win anytime, anywhere), and 3) Mission Assurance Command and Control (ability to conduct all our missions, regardless of the threat, to assure mission success).

Together there is nothing we can’t accomplish!

Wing Priorities

Lethality   |   Readiness   |   Resiliency

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Around the Wing

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Hewlett Takes Command of the 184th Wing

Col. David Hewlett assumed command of the Kansas Air National Guard’s 184th Wing during a change of command ceremony at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, March 2, 2024.

The official party included Brig. Gen. Jason Knobbe, commander of the Kansas Air National Guard; Col. Steve Smart, outgoing commander, 184th Wing; and Col. David Hewlett, incoming commander, 184th Wing.

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One Event, Two Change of Command Ceremonies

The 184th Wing hosted dual change of command ceremonies for the 184th Regional Support Group and the 184th Cyberspace Operations Group at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, March 7, 2024. During the ceremonies, Col. Craig Cooper relinquished command of the 184th RSG to Lt. Col. Robert Campbell. Immediately after, Cooper took command of the 184th COG. Col. David Hewlett, commander of the 184th Wing, was the presiding official for both ceremonies.

Campbell was later promoted to the rank of colonel during a ceremony at Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range, Salina, Kansas, April 3, 2024.

Congratulations to both officers!

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Smoky Hill ANG Range is Back in Full Swing

It was a busy March for Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range! The largest and busiest bombing and gunnery range in the Air National Guard hosted a multitude of training missions and exercises.

Events included:

• F-16s assigned to the 175th Fighter Squadron, Sioux Falls, South Dakota performed close air support with coordination from Naval Special Warfare Group 2
• C-130s from the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center, St. Joseph, Missouri, practiced defensive tactics
• UH-60s and CH-47 from the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Carson, Colorado, practiced door gunnery
• Canadian RAF Joint Terminal Attack Controllers conducted close air support with TOP ACES
• HC-130s assigned to the 34th Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, performed airdrop and defensive tactics training. They also practiced locating downed aircrew and delivering aid via airdrop
• A visit from 30 JROTC cadets who watched A-10s from the 303rd Fighter Squadron, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, conduct close air support with coordination from Canadian JTACS
• JTACs assigned to the 284th Air Support Operations Squadron practiced close air support missions with various aircraft
• An exercise with Salina first responders who assisted in recovering a downed helicopter with injured personnel. The helicopter was a UH-60 assigned to the Kansas National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation Regiment stationed in Salina

Plus a smattering of bombers including B-1s, B-2s, and B-52s delivering payloads of inert munitions

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Kansas Air Guardsman Helps Develop ANG's First Sgt. 2.0 Course

Senior Master Sgt. Donald Kunkel, middle, first sergeant for the 184th Wing Headquarters, assisted in developing the Air National Guard’s First Sergeant 2.0 Development Course which opened in 2023 at the Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Virginia. He’s now a facilitator for the course. The new course develops ANG first sergeants at the two-year mark of their tenure.

Graduates from the most recent course, March 11-14, 2024, included Master Sgt. April Carron, left, first sergeant for the 127th Cyberspace Operations Squadron; and Master Sgt. Scott Koehn, first sergeant for the 184th Operations Support Squadron.

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Around the World

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Air National Guard unveils New Bonus Program

On March 1st, the Air National Guard launched a new bonus program to attract and retain personnel in critical specialties. The initiative offers significant financial rewards, with bonuses of up to $90,000 for eligible members depending on their Air Force Specialty Codes. This strategic move aims to strengthen the ANG's operational capabilities by ensuring a skilled and ready force.

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DAF Releases 2025 budget proposal

The Department of the Air Force unveiled a $217.5 billion budget request March 11, designed to continue modernizing the Air Force and Space Force, maintain readiness to respond to current threats, and address key capability gaps while investing to manage risks that are increasing with time.

The $217.5 billion proposal that Congress will now consider for fiscal year 2025 includes $188.1 billion for the Air Force and $29.4 billion for the Space Force. If enacted into law, the Department’s overall budget would grow by 1.1 percent, $2.4 billion, from last fiscal year’s budget.

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Special-order uniforms provide accommodations

Military uniforms are designed to accommodate most body types, but many individuals face difficulty finding a good fit based on unique proportions or even medical needs.

The Air Force provides special-order – often used interchangeably with special-measurement which is the most common type of special order – uniforms to service members who fall outside of the standard size range. There are also options for those who need non-permethrin-treated operational camouflage pattern, or OCP, uniforms. Permethrin is an insect repellent. The special-order process allows service members to comply with military standards and maintain a professional appearance without incurring additional costs.

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We’re All Recruiters

Your referrals make a big difference. Forward this newsletter to your family, friends, and coworkers. And tell them about your experience in the Kansas Air National Guard.

Invite them to contact a recruiter at 316.759.7424.

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Featured Job Openings

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1D7X1R: RF Transmissions

Radio Frequency Transmission Systems specialists install and maintain our radio frequency communications. These experts must deploy, sustain, troubleshoot and repair the vast variety of communications devices—including antenna systems, tuners and transmission lines—to ensure our ability to communicate between multiple assets and platforms.

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1C5X1: Command and Control Battle Management Operations

As a Command and Control Battle Management Operations Specialist, you'll perform surveillance, combat identification, weapons control, tactical data link management, communications, and computer system management. You'll counter electronic attacks, provide radar control, monitor air weapons during offensive and defensive air operations, and take decisive action in conducting battle management air operations. You'll keep a watchful eye on everything that goes on in the sky using sophisticated radar and systems from both fixed military installations and deployed locations.

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1C8X3: Radar, Airfield, and Weather Systems

Pilots and aircrews need multiple systems to keep them flying. That's where the Radar, Airfield, and Weather Systems Specialists are crucial. You'll install and maintain everything from air traffic control and weather equipment to ground control and warning radar. You'll be a key component in ensuring our aircrews accomplish their mission.

The Jayhawk Flyer
184th Wing, Public Affairs
52955 Jayhawk Drive, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, 67221

184iw.ang.af.mil