Choosing the next stable for Pegasus
October 7, 2024
The Department of the Air Force has selected seven bases as potential candidate locations to host the next Main Operating Base for the Boeing KC-46A Pegasus. Some 88 examples of the KC-46 have been delivered to date, equipping Air Education and Training Command’s 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus AFB, Oklahoma, and Air Mobility Command Wings at McConnell AFB, Kansas (22nd Air Refuelling Wing), Travis AFB, California (60th Air Mobility Wing), and McGuire AFB, New Jersey (305th Air Mobility Wing). There is also an Air Reserve Command unit at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina (916th Air Refuelling Wing) and Air National Guard units at McGuire AFB, New Jersey (108th Wing) and Pease ANGB, New Hampshire (157th Air Refuelling Wing). In addition to McConnell AFB (the home base for the Pegasus), up to ten operating bases will eventually be used by the KC-46A.
The candidate locations to become KC-46A Pegasus Main Operating Base 7 are: Bangor Air National Guard Base, Maine, Forbes Field Air National Guard Base (Topeka), Kansas, Key Field Air National Guard Base (Meridian), Mississippi, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base (Knoxville), Tennessee, Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois and Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base (Birmingham), Alabma. Previously, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts, and Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana, have been mooted as possible KC-46A operating locations.
A final basing decision for the location of the KC-46A MOB 7 is expected in 2027. One base will be selected to host the new mission pending a final basing decision, following the outcome of a planned environmental impact analysis (anticipated no later than 2027). The first of eight aircraft are scheduled to arrive in 2031.
KC-46As will replace KC-135 Stratotankers at the chosen location. The new type will deliver enhanced capabilities, including a multi-point air refuelling capability giving the ability to conduct both boom and drogue refuelling during the same sortie. The KC-46A also has improved worldwide navigation capabilities, cargo capacity on the entire main deck floor, and an air-to-air refuelling receiver capability.
The USAF took delivery of its first KC-46A on 10 January 2019, well after the originally-planned 2016 delivery date. The aircraft was accepted despite two serious issues which resulted in some funding being withheld. There was inadequate boom pressure to refuel the A-10 and the remote vision system (RVS) suffered from significant glare induced distortion under certain conditions. Following the discovering of loose material and debris in the fuel tanks of some delivered aircraft, all further deliveries were halted on 23 March.
In September 2019, the USAF restricted the KC-46A from carrying cargo and passengers after the floor cargo locks were found to be unlocking in mid-flight. This Category 1 deficiency was officially closed by 20 December 2019, and four aircraft had been fitted with new cargo locks and were cleared for cargo and passenger operations.
The USAF finally cleared the KC-46 for limited operational use In early 2021. The Pegasus was allowed to conduct US-based refuelling only, with the B-52, F-15, F-16, and F/A-18 cleared as receivers. The USAF approved the KC-46 for general operational use during September 2022, and the aircraft is now fully combat-ready.
