An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Former wing/cc talks pride, heritage during Fairchild visit

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  "You don't go to war without tankers."

Those were the words of Maj. Gen. Scott Hanson, a former wing commander at the 92nd Air Refueling Wing and the guest speaker at Fairchild's 2012 Air Force Ball.

The general, currently the Air War College commandant at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., returned to Fairchild Sept. 21-25. During his visit, he impressed upon Airmen the importance of their mission and the thrill of seeing his old stomping grounds.

"It felt good to come back and see what had changed and what was the same," Hanson said. "But what I really wanted to do was visit with the people here. I love meeting Airmen and felt honored to come back to speak at Fairchild's Air Force Ball."

In his speech at the ball, Hanson talked a lot about the history of the service and the importance of the "long blue line" that stretches from the days of the Army Air Corps to today.

"History gives a unit a sense of what they're really all about; we're all here because of the greats who came before us," Hanson said. "Our pioneers give us a sense of who we are as Airmen and the spirit of innovation and boldness that is the hallmark of the Air Force."

Hanson said he was excited to see all the Airmen who attended the ball, which honored the 65th anniversary of the Air Force as a separate service.

"I love this growing tradition across the Air Force of celebrating our birthday," the general said. "Airmen have a lot of pride in what they do and who they are, certainly more than when I first came in."

In addition, wing leadership treated Hanson to a tour of Fairchild, revisiting several landmarks around the base the general helped put in place during his tenure at the wing from 2005 to 2007. His first stop was Hanson's Highway across from the fitness center, the outdoor running track named in his honor.

"On my first day as the wing commander, that afternoon, I said to my office, 'Okay, let's go for a run - where's the running track?'" Hanson recalled. "They told me there wasn't one on base, so that was one of the first things that needed to change. I'm glad it's still around and Airmen not only have that track, but a new fitness center and a second running track too."

When Hanson visited the medical group building, he saw the renovations for which he secured funding. The project was completed last year.

"Fairchild is a special place and it's been great to come back here and see it in person," Hanson said. "Fairchild Airmen have always had a lot of pride in what they do. We've been at war for so long, it's all our younger Airmen know. But the spirit of Hap Arnold and Billy Mitchell is alive and well at Fairchild."