KC-135 Fairchild AFB

MORE KC-135 STRATOTANKER AIRCRAFT FOR FAIRCHILD AFB

By Dario Leone
Jun 11 2017
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The KC-135 Stratotankers are currently scheduled to transfer from McConnell AFB, Kansas, in fiscal year 2020, as McConnell AFB is slated to receive the KC-46A Pegasus

On Jun. 5, 2017 the U.S. Air Force (USAF) officials announced Fairchild Air Force Base (AFB), Washington, as the preferred location for basing 12 KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, and MacDill AFB, Florida, as the reasonable alternative.

“Fairchild (AFB) is the best choice for additional Air Force tankers,” said Heather Wilson, the Secretary of the Air Force. “It’s well placed to gas up aircraft going across the Pacific, and it has the facilities we need without a lot of construction, making it the lower-cost option for the taxpayer.”

As explained in the article AF announces Fairchild AFB as preferred location for additional KC-135s, the tankers are currently scheduled to transfer from McConnell AFB, Kansas, in fiscal year 2020, as McConnell AFB is slated to receive the KC-46A Pegasus.

“Fairchild Air Force Base has been an integral part of our nation’s defense since World War II and serves as a critical air refueling center of excellence for our nation,” said Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II, the Air Mobility Command (AMC) commander. “The addition of 12 KC-135 Stratotankers at this strategically located base enhances our ability to meet constantly evolving global needs of combatant commanders who rely on air refueling every day.”

This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. KC-135R Stratotanker 161st Air Refueling Wing, 197th Air Refueling Squadron “Copperheads”, 63-8038 – Arizona Air National Guard – Sky Harbor ANG Base, AZ

Noteworthy AMC evaluated operational and training requirements, potential impacts to existing missions, housing, infrastructure, manpower, and cost during detailed, on-the-ground site surveys of each candidate base.

The Air Force is answering current air refueling constraints by building the tanker fleet to 479 aircraft.

The KC-135 fleet will remain the backbone of the tanker mission for decades to come,” said Gen. David L. Goldfein, the Air Force Chief of Staff. “We are committed to ensuring continued support of combatant commander tanker requirements during the tanker recapitalization effort by continuing to upgrade and modernize the KC-135 fleet.”

The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the USAF. This unique asset enhances the Air Force’s capability to accomplish its primary mission of global reach. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied nation aircraft. The KC-135 is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations.

Photo credit: Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton and Master Sgt Keith Reed / U.S. Air Force

Artwork courtesy of AircraftProfilePrints.com

Additional source: U.S. Air Force


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Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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