Photo By Airman 1st Class Patrick ONeill | Lt. Col. Christopher Smith, 349th Air Refueling Squadron commander, watches an F-16...... read more read more
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MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – Lt. Col. Christopher Smith awaited a bittersweet connection as he embarked on his last flying mission as the 349th Air Refueling Squadron commander at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, March 11, 2025.
Smith graduated from Dover High School in Dover, Ohio in 2003. There he met Brian Grygo, who would later become Maj. Brian Grygo, 175th Fighter Squadron F-16 pilot for the South Dakota Air National Guard.
Growing up in the same hometown, they went to the same school, with the same teachers, coaches, and mentors. Smith describes the Dover community as supportive when they both made the decision to join the military post 9/11.
“Our years in high school were defined by the September 11th attacks and our entire nation mobilizing to support the Global War on Terrorism,” Smith said. “Brian and I were present when our local unit, the 1485th Transportation Company, deployed to defend our nation in the months following those attacks. Our resolve to serve was galvanized by these events, and we both committed to joining the military and doing our part to defend our country and our freedoms.”
After high school, Smith and Grygo took similar steps to form their respective careers. Smith commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant after graduating the Air Force Academy; Grygo commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant after graduating from Ohio State University. Their careers took them across the globe, but the stars never aligned in a way that allowed them to cross paths.
“He reached out to me last fall, prior to my last deployment to see if our units could hook up for a refueling mission,” Smith said.
After some time passed, they made it happen: the 349th Air Refueling Squadron sent a KC-46 with four pilots and two boom operators airborne to complete a series of pre-deployment and mission qualification training. One pilot on board that flight was Lt. Col. Smith, who was able to refuel his old pal, Maj. Grygo.
“It’s not fortuitous, but it was a great opportunity 20 years later in my last flight as the 349th Air Refueling Squadron commander, and also potentially my last flight in the Air Force,” Smith said.
Smith described the mission as a bittersweet bookend after refueling the man he started his career alongside. Joy, pride, humility, and reflection all were present in the conclusion of his time commanding the 349th.
“During the flight, I reflected on my past nine deployments and all of the conflicts that our nation has fought in during the last 20 years,” Smith said. “From missed holidays to nights away from our families, it all came to a head as I looked back on the totality of my career.”
Smith was reminded of moments big and small, friends made, friends lost – all of which made an imprint on him. Looking back on his career throughout this flight, Smith was encompassed by an overarching feeling of gratitude.
“Gratitude for all of the opportunities given to me,” Smith said. “Gratitude for all of the support from my friends, family, and community. Gratitude for what the Air Force has given me and how they have grown me. And gratitude to live and serve this great nation.”
| Date Taken: | 03.14.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.14.2025 13:17 |
| Story ID: | 492887 |
| Location: | MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, KANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 171 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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