Spokane Airport Operation Staff visits Fairchild

Published Sept. 25, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Ryan Zeski
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The Spokane Airport Operation Staff had the unique opportunity visiting Fairchild Air Force Base, Sept 20. The Spokane Airport Operation Staff was given a tour of the base to further strengthen the Spokane partnership and working relationship between Fairchild and Spokane Airport.

The visit gave the staff the opportunity to see how their counterparts here operate and the daily operations of our Airmen.

"The purpose of this visit is to break down any unintentional fences between our two airfields. We share the same airspace, so we are one team," said Col. Brian Newberry, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "The community is our strong foundation for us to daily Fuel Freedom so this visit was an excellent way to share with our community partners what our mission is here."

Prior to going on the tour, the colonel took time to speak to the group about why what Fairchild does is important for our community, the Air Force and our Nation.

"With so much in common, teamwork and partnership are very important," said Larry Krauter, Spokane Airports CEO. "It's good to establish a strong relationship."

Working at Spokane Airports the staff can relate to what Team Fairchild does on a daily basis. They toured the airfield and control tower and were shown a KC-135 Stratotanker inside a maintenance facility.

"The maintenance hangar and air traffic control simulator were very interesting," said Ryan Sheehan, Spokane Airports director of operations and maintenance. "The hangar was much bigger than I expected, it was very impressive."

During Fairchild's runway reconstruction project, Spokane International Airport served as a one of the temporary operating zone for the base. Since Fairchild and the airport are located so close together they are able to keep a cooperative relationship.

The Air Force holds tours to enhance public trust, support and to demonstrate the Air Force is a community partner and a responsible steward of National resources.

"I hope they enjoyed their visit to Fairchild to personally see our great Airmen in action and the legacy of excellence we continue to build upon," said Newberry. "Community outreach is a top priority saluting the community and letting them better understand how we can work together is the best manner for us to ensure Fairchild remains razor sharp defending America."