ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Several U.S. Congressional staff delegates, Oklahoma Senator Brent Howard, and Oklahoma Representative Gerrid Kendrix, visited Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Aug. 21, 2024, to see the base’s training mission first-hand and to discuss installation infrastructure.
Upon arrival, the team received a mission brief from Col. Jeff Marshall, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Justin Brundage, 97th AMW command chief, where they highlighted the role that Altus AFB plays in training 70% of mobility Airmen.
“Here at Altus, we’re not just maintaining standards, we’re raising them,” said Marshall. “Every improvement we make strengthens our mission and ensures that we remain a premier installation, forging the next generation of mobility warriors.”
The group was informed of project successes from the 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels flight, including a new pipeline, which provides access to more than 630 thousand gallons of jet fuel per week.
They also discussed plans of modernizing infrastructure throughout the base to improve operational capabilities.
Following the briefings, the team visited the 97th Maintenance Squadron, where they were able to tour a static display of the installation’s newest weapons system, the KC-46 Pegasus. While touring the aircraft, 97th MXS members and 56th Air Refueling Squadron leadership discussed the aircraft’s capabilities along with efforts to address manning and facility renovations.
“The mobility ability we have to impact the globe from right here in Altus, Oklahoma, is astounding,” said Kendrix. “Getting to see the mission first-hand and learning about the large percentage of the Mobility Air Force that are trained here is truly amazing.”