KEY FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Miss. -- The 186th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) received word today that the wing is officially a candidate for the potential selection to receive the KC-46A Pegasus, the U.S. Air Force’s most advanced aerial refueling aircraft.
Col. Cynthia Smith, commander of the 186th ARW, extends gratitude for the support the base has received from the local, state and national level leadership.
“Thanks to the hard work of our wing members and the immense support of our Community, State and Congressional delegates, Meridian is officially in the running to receive the KC-46. The KC-46 is the next generation tanker aircraft, needed to project US military power over great distances. Locating the planes at Key Field makes logistical and financial sense and will position Meridian for a long-term future mission that will be around for the next 50 years.”
Located in the “Strategic Center of the South”, Key Field ANGB, the original birthplace of air refueling, has worked diligently to vie for the new aircraft which would replace the eight KC-35R Stratotankers currently assigned to the Wing.
Key Field, home to the earliest pioneers of air refueling, possesses one of the few hangars in the Air National Guard that can hold two KC-135s or house the KC-46 with only minor modifications – a substantial cost savings to the U.S. Air Force.
The 186th ARW holds major advantages of location, cost, history, and expertise for consideration as home to the KC-46 mission. Key Field’s optimal location is situated outside of highly trafficked airspace, yet geographically central to an area of high receiver aircraft demand.
The 186th Air Refueling Wing provides over 1,100 personnel and eight KC-135R aircraft to Air Mobility Command for worldwide operations. Additional units at Key Field include the 238th Air Support Operations Squadron, the 248th Air Traffic Control Squadron, and the 186th Air Operations Group.