KEY FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Miss. -- The 186th Air Refueling Wing hosted its 2023 Family Day event at Key Field Air National Guard Base, October 14, during the October Unit Training Assembly.
Airmen and their families gathered to enjoy food from local vendors, fellowship with other military families, and enjoy a fall festival complete with carnival-style games and trick or treating for kids.
A KC-135R Stratotanker from the 186th, a C-17 Globemaster III from the 172d Airlift Wing in Flowood, and several military vehicles were on display outside of the hangar.
“Each family member serves alongside the servicemember,” Col. Cynthia Smith, 186th ARW commander said. “Hosting Family Day is just a small way for us to show appreciation to the people who sacrifice time away from their loved ones so our wing can fulfill its mission.”
This year’s Family Day was celebrated in October, a move from the traditional month of December. Col. Smith said that one of the reasons for the change was to accommodate schedules during the busy holiday season.
The 186th Air Refueling Wing provides over 1,100 personnel and eight KC-135R aircraft to Air Mobility Command for worldwide operations. The Wing also supports domestic counter-drug and emergency response missions and overseas combatant commander requirements. Key Field is also home to the 238th Air Support Operations Squadron, the 248th Air Traffic Control Squadron, and the 186th Air Operations Group. To join the Mississippi Air National Guard, contact a recruiter by calling 601-484-9213 or 601-484-9828. More information about the Wing is available online at https://www.186arw.ang.af.mil/