A new unit supporting the military’s newest refueling planes could be coming to Grissom Air Reserve Base.
The base has been named a finalist for the first Air Force Reserve unit supporting and flying KC-46A Pegasus tankers, which will begin to replace the Air Force's aging fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers.
“This is a big deal,” said Grissom’s 434th ARW Public Affairs Officer Doug Hays. “You’re talking about the future of military air refueling. For Grissom to be part of that, it’s exciting.”
Other bases being considered for the unit are Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina; Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts; and Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
The Air Force initially considered 18 bases for the new unit.
The announcement comes after officials with the newly formed Grissom Regional Defense Alliance, a subcommittee of the Miami County Economic Development Authority, traveled to Washington, D.C., in March to talk to Indiana representatives about developing a strategy to bring the new unit to Grissom.
Every Indiana representative ended up signing a joint congressional letter that was sent to the secretary of the Air Force expressing the military advantages Grissom offers and recommending the placement of KC-46A unit at the base.
Air Force officials are now set to conduct detailed, on-the-ground site surveys at the four bases, assessing each location against operational requirements, potential impacts to existing missions, housing, infrastructure and manpower.
A new unit supporting the military’s newest refueling planes could be coming to Grissom Air Reserve Base.
The base has been named a finalist for the first Air Force Reserve unit supporting and flying KC-46A Pegasus tankers, which will begin to replace the Air Force's aging fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers.
“This is a big deal,” said Grissom’s 434th ARW Public Affairs Officer Doug Hays. “You’re talking about the future of military air refueling. For Grissom to be part of that, it’s exciting.”
Other bases being considered for the unit are Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina; Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts; and Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
The Air Force initially considered 18 bases for the new unit.