Mayor presents ‘key to city’ to 139th AW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- St. Joseph Mayor Bill Falkner presented the key to the city to Col. Michael Pankau at a banquet Jan. 25, 2012. Pankau, the 139th Airlift Wing commander, humbly accepted the key on behalf of the Wing.

"It makes me proud to be a member of this Wing," said Pankau. "This represents what the 1000 plus Airmen here do for this community."

The key was presented to the Wing due to its community involvement. Last year Airmen from the Wing played a large part in staving off the high waters of the Missouri River. Two years ago, the Wing hosted an air show which won the International Council of Air Shows Award.

The key was presented during the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center's 30th Annual Intelligence and Tactics Symposium banquet, where more than 300 guests were gathered.

"The 139th Airlift Wing earned this," said Pankau. "I'm just representing the Wing."