Letter to Stanley Clark, Director Air National Guard - Shaheen, Ayotte Continue to Make Case for Pease and 157th Air Refueling Wing

Letter

With the Air Force set to hold a public hearing in Portsmouth on Thursday evening regarding the KC-46A environmental impact statement, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) made the case again today for Pease in a letter to the Director of the Air National Guard.

Shaheen and Ayotte, members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, have worked together extensively to highlight the strategic value of the Pease Air National Guard Base. They advocated for Pease to receive the next generation refueling tanker - the KC-46A - and last year announced that Pease will be the first Air National Guard unit to receive the tanker. Pending results of the environmental impact study, Pease is slated to receive 12 aircraft beginning in fiscal year 2018.

Shaheen and Ayotte wrote, "In short, an optimal strategic location, a top-performing air refueling unit, an absence of environmental concerns, and a supportive community and Congressional delegation combine to make clear that Pease Air National Guard base represents the best possible location in the Air National Guard for the KC-46A."

SHAHEEN-AYOTTE LETTER IN SUPPORT OF PEASE:

March 5, 2014

Lieutenant General Stanley E. Clarke III
Director, Air National Guard
1000 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1000

Dear General Clark,

As the Air Force completes the environmental impact process associated with the second KC-46A main operating base, we write to reiterate our enthusiastic support for the Air Force's selection of Pease Air National Guard base to serve as the first home for KC-46As in the Air National Guard. The strategic advantages of Pease, the performance of the 157th Air Refueling Wing (ARW), the strong public support for the base and its refueling mission, as well as the lack of environmental concerns continue to make Pease the best location in the Air National Guard for the KC-46A.

As you know, Pease is located only minutes from the most important refueling tracks for U.S.-based aircraft heading to the Middle East, Europe, and Africa and can support a range of training and operational missions. In fact, Pease is 12 minutes from the Coronet routing to Europe and the Middle East and ideally positioned to support the OPLAN 8010 mission. Proximity to these critical refueling tracks saves time and money, ensuring an outstanding value for the Air Force.

Pease also stands out because of its existing infrastructure to support the KC-46A. Pease has nearly one million gallons of bulk fuel storage and parking for up to 19 of the new aircraft. In addition to having one of the largest aircraft parking ramps in the Air National Guard, Pease has one of the longest runways in the Northeast and an absence of any environmental issues that would impede the basing and operation of the KC-46A.

In addition to these major assets at Pease, the most important asset is the men and women of the 157th ARW-whose expertise and commitment make them the best air refueling unit in the Air Force. From fiscal years 2011 to 2013, through supporting operations in Afghanistan, Libya, and Iraq, as well as Coronet missions, Pease has flown almost 13,000 operational hours, achieving the highest aircraft utilization of any Air National Guard KC-135 unit. Additionally, the 157th ARW was number one in operational support to Combatant Commanders-flying more operational hours than any other ANG refueling unit, including units with significantly more aircraft.

The 157th ARW has developed a mature, high-performing active duty association that seamlessly integrates with the reserve component to form a highly functional unit capable of meeting the demands of the active component and the Air National Guard. Through working closely and effectively with its active associate, the 157th Air Refueling Wing has earned 11 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, while maintaining a retention rate near 100 percent. During fiscal year 2013, Pease's active associate averaged 105 days per person per year on temporary duty assignment, the highest among all active duty and associate air refueling wings which averaged 92 days per person over the same period.

In short, an optimal strategic location, a top-performing air refueling unit, an absence of environmental concerns, and a supportive community and Congressional delegation combine to make clear that Pease Air National Guard base represents the best possible location in the Air National Guard for the KC-46A.

Thank you for your service to our country. We look forward to working with you and the Air National Guard to welcome the KC-46A to Pease.

Sincerely,

Jeanne Shaheen
United States Senator

Kelly Ayotte
United States Senator

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