Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall visited the Maine Air National Guard's 101st Air Refueling Wing June 7, as part of a senior leader visit and invitation from U.S. Senator Susan Collins.
During his visit to the installation, Kendall was joined by Collins, Brig. Gen. Diane Dunn, adjutant general of the Maine National Guard, and Col. Byron Newell, 101st Air Refueling Wing commander.
Kendall met with senior leaders of the 101st ARW along with community leaders from the greater Bangor area. Kendall had the opportunity to join Airmen for lunch at the installation dining facility, received a mission brief from the wing commander and participated in an award ceremony for local Airmen.
"Meeting Airmen and Guardians is one of my favorite parts of serving as the secretary," Kendall said. "Spending time with the Air Guardsmen of the 101st was special - it was clear to me their dedication to the mission and commitment to professionalism."
Following the award presentation, both Collins and Kendall delivered official remarks as part of a base-wide meeting with the 101st ARW. The secretary spoke on the importance of an agile, disciplined and multi-capable force, and the 101st ARW's impact on Air Mobility Command and aerial refueling.
"Our total force of active duty, Reserve and Guard is formidable," Kendall said. "Together we are one team, focused on the one fight - providing for our nation's defense and security. It was clear to me the Air Guardsmen of Bangor are focused on this task."
After making comments and answering several questions from the audience, the official party exited the hangar for Kendall to board his departing flight on the nearby runway.
"It was an incredible honor to have both Secretary Kendall and Senator Collins visit the MAINEiacs," Dunn said. "We are grateful Secretary Kendall was able to meet with our Airmen and local and state leaders to witness firsthand the amount of community support the Maine National Guard receives."
The mission of the approximately 1,000 members of the 101st ARW is to deploy and employ air refueling, airlift, expeditionary aerospace, and combat support forces around the world, while supporting national security, homeland defense, and State of Maine objectives at home.
