In Response to Ayotte, Air Force Generals Confirm KC-46A on Schedule for Delivery to Pease

Press Release

At this morning's Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) questioned two senior Air Force officers who oversee the air refueling mission of Pease Air National Guard Base's 157th Air Refueling Wing: General Paul Selva, the current Commander of U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) and nominee to be Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and General Darren McDew, the current commander of Air Mobility Command (AMC) and nominee to be the next commander of TRANSCOM.

In response to Ayotte's question regarding whether Pease was still on schedule to receive 12 KC-46A primary aircraft in December 2017, General McDew answered, "absolutely." General Selva echoed the affirmation.

Ayotte also questioned the nominees on the importance of maintaining sufficient aircraft ramp space at Pease to facilitate the parking of the KC-46A aircraft, as well as the space required to support additional aircraft during day-to-day operations and contingency missions. General Selva called "sufficient ramp space" a "strategic asset", and General McDew agreed that it is important to retain sufficient ramp space at Pease to support these missions.

After the hearing, Ayotte said, "I will continue to highlight the strategic importance of Pease to our nation's military capabilities and readiness, and am grateful for the opportunity to discuss the base with today's nominees. I am pleased that General Selva and General McDew confirmed that Pease is on track to receive 12 KC-46As in December 2017 and agreed that maintaining sufficient ramp space at Pease is important."

The 157th Air Refueling Wing was named the recipient of the 2015 William W. Spruance Safety Award last week. This award is given annually to the Air National Guard Unit which made the most significant contribution to accident prevention.

Since 2011, Ayotte has used letters, meetings, and Senate Armed Service Committee hearings to advocate for Pease and the 157th Air Refueling Wing to receive the KC-46A, as well as the infrastructure investments necessary to support the aircraft. The selection of Pease to host the KC-46A will result in millions of dollars of investment at Pease and dozens of new jobs there.

TRANSCOM is the joint parent organization of AMC, which oversees the air refueling mission.

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