SOAP LAKE - A Fairchild AFB pilot with connections to this region will be the speaker at the heritage meeting of the Grant County Historical Society on Tuesday, April 12.

The society's board of directors will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Soap Lake Senior Center at 121 2nd Ave. in Soap Lake. The heritage meeting will follow lunch at the same location.

Lt. Col. Jim O'Connell, a KC-135 refueling tanker pilot, has just completed a stint as the Moses Lake Detachment commander for Fairchild AFB. He is back at Fairchild as the Operations Group Commander, but he expects to frequent the Moses Lake Detachment.

"I'll probably fly out there a couple of times," he said.

A great-great-great-grandfather of O'Connell's was the first sheriff  of Grant County. A great-great-grandfather homesteaded in the Hartline area. O'Connell was raised in Spokane. 

After his address to members of the historical society, O'Connell will field questions from the audience about his history, the history of the USAF and the Moses Lake Detachment.

O'Connell has served 20 years. He plans to complete 30.

"Or as long as they will keep me," he said.

The public is invited to O'Connell's presentation, and visitors are asked to call 246-1913 to order lunch. For questions, call Rita Mayrant at 750-4555.