Operation Fly Together

On Thursday, May 27, 2021 the Spokane Indians Baseball Team launched the Operation Fly Together campaign. The Operation Fly Together campaign stems from a historic agreement between Team Fairchild and the baseball team, designed to celebrate the KC-135 tanker, build pride for the base's critical functions and help better the lives of Veterans from all services that have settled in the Spokane region. Fairchild Air Force Base’s interest in this partnership is to help better the lives of the veterans from all services that have settled in the Spokane region.

The campaign, supported by STCU, Innovia Foundation, KHQ Television, and The Spokesman-Review, will build financial support and awareness for the newly created Operation Fly Together Veterans Fund, administered by Innovia. In addition, the campaign has been endorsed locally by Spokane County & Eastern Washington Veterans Affairs.

The campaign pillars center around Community, Honor, Education, Support, and Celebration.

Where It All Began

On Monday, August 8, 2011, Sgt. Chris Weichman from Fairchild AFB surprised his family on the field after his third tour in Afghanistan. This special moment served as a reminder of the importance of military families and their loved ones in the Inland Northwest.

With the increased number of KC-135 Stratotankers arriving at Fairchild and the countless Veterans who live in our region, the need to celebrate this historic plane and local Veterans has never been greater.

Five Pillars of Operation Fly Together

Community

During the 2017 and 2018 seasons, Spokane Indians players and coaches visited Fairchild Air Force Base to learn from the examples and experiences of the servicemen and servicewomen of the United States Air Force. Those team visits will continue in the future with both sides committed to more events like this one throughout the Inland Northwest community.

The Spokane Indians and Les Schwab teamed up in support of our Armed Forces and restored a pair of softball fields at Fairchild Air Force Base on July 19, 2022 as part of the team's Community Field Project. Indians front office staff and members of the grounds crew as well as volunteers from Les Schwab removed weeds and rocks, added new sod to the infield skirt, spread field conditioner, installed a mound on both fields, and striped and prepped the field.

Honor

The Spokane Indians Baseball Team will be honoring Team Fairchild and veterans by wearing specialty jerseys and hats modeled after the current U.S. Air Force Service Dress Uniform on Friday nights throughout the season.

Jerseys are auctioned off at the end of the season with proceeds benefiting the Operation Fly Together Veterans Fund.

Education

Operational Fly Together is committed to educating the Inland Northwest about the role of Fairchild AFB and the importance of veterans in our community.

Campaign mascot KC, proudly presented by STCU, has been created as a symbol of the campaign to evoke a positive message of this incredible airplane and the vital role of Fairchild AFB in national security. KC officially landed at Avista Stadium on Friday, July 22, 2022, and has since greeted fans before every game as they enter Avista Stadium.

Support

A goal of Operation Fly Together is to raise money and say thank you to our local veterans. The Spokane Indians Team Store will feature exclusive Operation Fly Together merchandise, with a portion of the sales going directly to the Operation Fly Together Veterans Fund, administered by the Innovia Foundation.

The goal of this fund is to enhance the lives of veteran groups in our region. Donations can also be made directly to the fund by CLICKING HERE.

Celebrate

The fifth pillar is rooted in celebrating the impactful role of the KC-135 in the United States Air Force along with the accomplishments for our servicemen and servicewomen. In addition, the baseball team will be celebrating veterans throughout the season for their continued role as leaders in our community.

Every Friday, one family will be honored during a between inning promotion as the STCU “Fairchild Family” of the game.

On September 4th, 2021, the Spokane Indians hosted a special oath of enlistment ceremony for recruits of the United States Air Force and Space Force.

Future celebrations include an annual on-field Swearing-In Ceremony on Armed Forces Appreciation Night and special first pitch opportunities.

Veterans Fund in Action

2021

The Spokane Indians Baseball Team donated $5,000 to the Spokane Tribal Veterans Post 107011 to assist with renovating the Veterans Post entrance ramp for continued ease of access and enhanced safety. The Spokane Tribal Veterans program assists veterans with various items aimed to improve the livelihood of those who served in the United States military.
As part of the Operation Fly Together debut event, a check for $5,000 was presented to Newby Ginnings of North Idaho. This money will go towards general operation expenses for the nonprofit which provides basic necessities and essential household items to veterans, active military and their families at no cost. The organization was created in memory of SPC Nicholas Newby who was killed in action in Baghdad, Iraq on July 7, 2011.

In conjunction with the City of Spokane Parks & Recreation Department, the fund made a $5,000 contribution to renovate the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Riverfront Park. The restoration design was completed in partnership with the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs and the Inland Northwest Vietnam Veterans Memorial Revitalization Committee. The project was completed and re-opened on Veterans Day 2021.
The Campaign covered travel expenses for family members of Technical Sergeant Herman “Tre” Mackey III to ensure they could be in attendance for the dedication of a Fairchild Air Force Base building in Mackey’s name. TSgt Mackey III lost his life on May 3, 2017 while serving as a boom operator on a KC-135R tanker that, tragically, broke apart and exploded mid-air. The Mackey Airman Leadership School will provide professional military education to prepare Senior Airmen and Staff Sergeants to be adaptable for current and future leadership.

2022

The Spokane Indians Operation Fly Together campaign donated $5,000 to Heroes Homestead, a local non-profit organization whose mission is to honor heroes, fortify families, and celebrate freedom. These funds were used to cover registration costs for a Women's focused veterans retreat and general operating expenses for the Heroes Market, which features American-made, veteran-crafted goods that help veterans refine skills while supporting their families.
In partnership with Volunteer of America's Veterans Housing Project, the Operation Fly Together Veteran's Fund supplied 20 move-in kits with basic household items to Veterans transitioning to permanent living. In addition the campaign funded a Veteran's Day BBQ through Volunteers of America complete with gift cards for groceries.

Article Links

S pokane, Air Force base arrange unique partnership – MiLB.com
Spokane Indians take flight for Operation Fly Together
‘Operation Fly Together’ aims to support local military veterans - Spokesman-Review
Spokane Indians launch historic partnership with Fairchild Air Force Base – The Inlander

Operation Fly Together