Tampa’s MacDill Air Force Base Getting New Tankers
The refueling tankers that live at MacDill AFB are aging, and there’s a replacement coming to town.
The KC-135 fleet has been around for decades, some dating back to the Eisenhower administration. The Department of Defense has chosen MacDill Air Force Base as a site for a new tanker, the KC-46 Pegasus. For now, the plan is to place 24 of the new planes in Tampa.
Representative Kathy Castor said, in a statement:
“I am thrilled that MacDill was chosen to be the new main operating base for 24 KC-46s Pegasus aircraft. The patriotic Tampa Bay community embraces the mission and the outstanding men and women who serve here. Tampa is “tanker town,” and we are thrilled to upgrade our tankers and cement the air mobility mission at MacDill for decades to come.”
Meanwhile Colonel Benjamin R. Jonsson, Commander, 6th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force Base said:
“MacDill Air Force Base is proud to be chosen to become the next preferred location to host the KC-46 Pegasus. The selection ensures that the 6th Air Refueling Wing will provide next generation aerial refueling support and AirPower for our nation’s defense for decades to come.”
In 1991, there were fears that MacDill Air Force Base would be closed. As home to the 6th Air Mobility Wing and the 927th Air Refueling Wing, in addition to Special Operations Command and Central Command, it has continued to remain one of the most important bases the Department of Defense operates.
[Source: Tampa Bay’s 10]
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