[MilCom] Air Force Announces KC-46A Candidate Bases

[Greg Brazil]

Air Force Announces KC-46A Candidate Bases

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Air Force Announces KC-46A Candidate Bases 
<http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=15771>
01/09/2013 04:02 PM CST
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*IMMEDIATE RELEASE* 	*No. 014-13
January 09, 2013*

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Air Force Announces KC-46A Candidate Bases

             The Air Force announced today Altus Air Force Base, Okla., 
and McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., as candidate bases for the KC-46A 
formal training unit (FTU).

             Altus Air Force Base, Okla.; Fairchild Air Force Base, 
Wash.; Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D.; and McConnell Air Force Base, 
Kan., are candidate bases for the first active-duty led KC-46A main 
operating base (MOB).

             Forbes Air Guard Station, Kan.; Joint-Base 
McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.; Pease Air Guard Station, N.H.; Pittsburgh 
International Airport Air Guard Station, Pa.; and Rickenbacker Air Guard 
Station, Ohio, are candidate bases for the first Air National Guard led 
KC-46A MOB.

             "The KC-46A will have enhanced refueling capacity and 
capabilities, improved efficiency, and increased capabilities for cargo 
and aeromedical evacuation as compared to the KC-135R, making it a vital 
component to maintaining our global reach for years to come," said Gen. 
Mark Welsh III, Air Force chief of staff.

             The major commands will conduct detailed, on-the-ground 
site surveys of each candidate base.  They will assess each location 
against operational and training requirements, potential impacts to 
existing missions, housing, infrastructure, and manpower.  Additionally, 
they will develop cost estimates to bed down the KC-46A for each 
candidate base.  Once the site surveys are completed, the results will 
be briefed to the secretary of the Air Force and chief of staff of the 
Air Force to select preferred and reasonable alternatives for the FTU 
and two operating locations.  The Air Force plans to announce KC-46A 
preferred and reasonable alternatives and begin the Environmental Impact 
Analysis Process (EIAP) in spring 2013.

             "Bringing the KC-46A online is an important step in 
recapitalizing a tanker fleet that has been a leader in air refueling 
for more than five decades," Welsh said. "This new age aircraft will 
achieve better mission-capable rates with less maintenance downtime, 
improving our ability to respond with rapid, global capability to assist 
U.S., joint, allied and coalition forces and better support humanitarian 
missions."

             Welsh went on to explain that the 179 planned KC-46A 
aircraft are just the first phase of a 3-phase effort to replace more 
than 400 KC-135 and 59 KC-10 aircraft.  The first phase of tanker 
recapitalization will complete deliveries in fiscal 2028.  He went on to 
emphasize the importance of continuing KC-135 modernization efforts.

             "I want to stress that the KC-135 units not replaced with 
the KC-46A will continue to fly the KC-135R for the foreseeable future," 
Welsh said.  "Throughout tanker recapitalization, the Air Force is 
committed to ensuring continued support of combatant commander 
requirements."

              "We are committed to executing a deliberate, repeatable 
and standardized basing process," said Kathleen Ferguson, Air Force 
principal deputy assistant secretary for installations, environment and 
logistics.  "In this process, the Air Force uses criteria-based analysis 
and military judgment in its decision making."

             Ferguson added "We look forward to the next phase when 
preferred and reasonable alternatives are announced and our candidate 
base communities have an opportunity to participate by providing input 
for the environmental impact analysis."

             The KC-46A will provide improved capability, including boom 
and drogue refueling on the same sortie, world-wide navigation and 
communication, airlift capability on the entire main deck floor, 
receiver air refueling, improved force protection and survivability, and 
multi-point air refueling capability.

             The FTU and active duty MOB will begin receiving aircraft 
in fiscal 2016.  The Air National Guard MOB will receive aircraft in 
fiscal 2018.

             For more information, please contact Ann Stefanek, Air 
Force Public Affairs at 703-695-0640 or ann.stefanek at pentagon.af.mil .

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