TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Gregg Boulanger, instructor pilot and chief of training with the 79th Air Refueling Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, made history as the first Citizen Airman in the Air Force Reserve Command to complete the Night Vision Goggle Academic Instructor course for the KC-46 aircraft.
Boulanger, who completed the course in December 2024 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is now qualified to instruct others in using NVGs for the KC-46 aircraft. The NVG Academic Instructor course is designed to train aircrews to operate in low-light and no-light conditions using night vision technology. The course includes ground academics on how to properly use NVG devices.
“This course was able to take someone with either 50-100 hours of experience or relatively low experience in a two-day time frame of training and bring them to a safe level,” he said.
Lt. Col. John Cuellar, commander of the 79th Air Refueling Squadron, noted that Boulanger’s qualification was significant not only for the squadron but also for the Air Force Reserve.
“What was really special about that course was it gave him the qualification to be able to teach ground academics. To my knowledge, I do not know another KC-46 Citizen Airman that has attended the course while in the Reserve or Guard,” said Cuellar.
Boulanger is now able to instruct and train other Citizen Airmen in the 79 ARS to become NVG qualified on the KC-46 at Travis Air Force Base.
“Lt. Col. Boulanger is not only training Citizen Airman but also training the active duty on NVGs. He went from being a Citizen Airman to embodying that TFI model and working with our counterparts. It really shows one fight, one Team Travis. I think that is super important to capture as they are all working together,” said Cuellar.
The goal of the course is for Airmen to learn how to operate the KC-46 in low-light and no-light conditions, improving safety and mission effectiveness during nighttime flights.
“These devices enable us to acquire the runway using infrared, which is undetectable to the naked eye, but we can use these night vision goggles to see that light, find the runway and still maintain safe operations,” said Boulanger.
Senior Master Sgt. Mike Parks, 79th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator has obtained his qualification in NVG on the KC-46 aircraft under Boulanger’s training.
“To go into a new airframe with a new mind set and new operation of reality, bold steps must be taken. The focus in this squadron has been about taking those bold steps in areas that are tactically relevant,” said Parks.
With NVG training now integrated into the 79 ARS readiness program, Airmen are honing their skills for operations that may involve future nighttime scenarios, including takeoffs and landings with limited lighting at airfields.
“The 79th is not just blocking and tackling—that is learning to fly, refuel, and move cargo in a new airframe—we’re pushing beyond the basics to fully leverage the weapon system’s capabilities, to include NVGs. Even while still in conversion, the 79th is setting the standard and leading AFRC,” said Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Fisher, Senior Enlisted Leader, 79th Air Refueling Squadron.
Cuellar emphasized the importance of these capabilities for the squadron’s broader mission.
“For me as a commander it all comes back to the why. That why is all about providing strategic deterrence and two, so we are capable and the best at providing combat effectiveness,” he said.
The 79 ARS commander has hand-selected crew members and plans to continue recruiting Citizen Airmen to complete NVG training on the KC-46 airframe.
“We chose our cadre based on their previous experiences and unique backgrounds. We are doing a crawl, walk, run approach. As we continue to select trainees to continue to grow this capability, we will have players that are more experienced,” said Cuellar.
Boulanger’s achievement as the first Citizen Airman in AFRC to earn NVG Academic Instructor course qualification for the KC-46 strengthens the squadron’s ability by setting an example for more Citizen Airman to become qualified. The qualification will enable Airman to conduct a wide range of missions, ensuring the 79 ARS remains prepared for future challenges.
“We have a new focus. For over two decades we were focused on the Global War on Terrorism and now we are focused on being able to deter and if necessary, defeat very capable adversaries. The 79th has been called upon many times in our history ranging from Normandy in World War II, El Dorado Canyon, and numerous conflicts in the Middle East. If we’re called upon again, we’ll be ready,” said Cuellar.
The individuals below made history as AFRC’s first KC-46 NVG initial cadre team:
-Lt. Col. Gregg Boulanger, 79th Air Refueling Squadron
-Maj. Michael Renolayan, 79th Air Refueling Squadron
-Maj. John Milani, 79th Air Refueling Squadron
-Maj. Christian Rotter, 79th Air Refueling Squadron
-Maj. Mark Garrison, 79th Air Refueling Squadron
-Senior Master Sgt. Michael Parks, 79th Air Refueling Squadron
-Master Sgt. Ryan Gregory, 79th Air Refueling Squadron
-Tech. Sgt. Matthew Johnson, 79th Air Refueling Squadron
-Staff Sgt. Samuel Nolan, 79th Air Refueling Squadron