Photo By Senior Airman Paula Arce | Members of Team McConnell navigate a non-motorized vehicle through a course while...... read more read more
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MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. — McConnell Air Force Base hosted an annual resiliency convention at the Dole Center on Feb. 9, bringing Team McConnell together for a morning of group discussions centered on resilience, personal growth, professional development and hands-on activities.
Tanker Talks 2.0 ran from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and featured sessions throughout the Dole Center, allowing attendees to choose from a range of topics addressing mental health, leadership, relationships, career development and more.
The event expanded on the original Tanker Talks, hosted in 2025, by increasing the number of sessions and nearly doubling the amount of speakers, which included Team McConnell members from across the wing. Several sessions were offered at multiple times, giving participants more flexibility to tailor their schedules based on personal interest.
“Last year it was super well attended,” said Nicole Schmalbach, 22nd Air Refueling Wing prevention coordinator. “We expanded in space to allow us to have more speakers and more sessions.”
In addition to discussion-based sessions, the event included activities designed to promote physical wellness, such as yoga sessions. Select sessions qualified for Ready Airman Training (RAT) credit. The Integrated Resilience Office coordinated a team of volunteers from units across the base. Participants were recruited through a tasker and assisted with speakers, building the schedule and coordinating event logistics. Despite overlapping base-wide Nuclear Staff Assistance Visit exercise demands, contributors set aside time to support the event and help ensure it ran smoothly.
Schmalbach’s broader goal of Tanker Talks 2.0 was to give Airmen an opportunity to pause from their daily mission demands and connect Team McConnell across units in a stress-free environment. The variety of sessions allowed participants to select and engage in topics they may not encounter during regular workdays. Schmalbach hopes Airmen walk away having learned something new, feeling inspired and with a renewed sense of connection.
Tanker Talks 2.0 concluded with lunch provided by McConnell’s first sergeants, who purchased and served meals.
“We appreciate their commitment and time to support Tanker Talks,” Schmalbach said. “Thanks to their generosity, lunch was provided to over 600 people. It’s that type of support that really helped bring the event together”
| Date Taken: | 02.10.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 02.11.2026 09:50 |
| Story ID: | 557859 |
| Location: | KANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 10 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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