The U.S. Air Force announced Wednesday that the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 171st Air Refueling Wing located at the Pittsburgh International Airport is one of five finalists to potentially receive a new tanker mission.
Finalists will now be surveyed for future basing of the new KC-46A tanker, which will have multiple capabilities including cargo, passenger and patient transportation in addition to its primary role of aerial refueling.
The other National Guard base finalists include: Forbes Air Guard Station, Kan.; McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.; Pease Air Guard Station, N.H.; and Rickenbacker Air Guard Station, Ohio.
The preferred site is expected to be announced this spring with a final decision made by the Secretary of the Air Force in spring 2014. The selected site will begin receiving the KC-46A tankers in fiscal year 2018.
The 171st Air Refueling Wing is made up of 1,300 personnel and 16 KC-135T Stratotankers. The KC-135s are capable of refueling U.S. and NATO aircraft as well as transporting cargo and passengers worldwide. Additionally, 171st personnel are regularly called upon to assist during natural disasters or civil emergencies. The wing, one of three wings in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, has called Coraopolis its home since 1947.
For more information about the 171st Air Refueling Wing visit http://www.171arw.ang.af.mil/
Finalists will now be surveyed for future basing of the new KC-46A tanker, which will have multiple capabilities including cargo, passenger and patient transportation in addition to its primary role of aerial refueling.
The other National Guard base finalists include: Forbes Air Guard Station, Kan.; McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.; Pease Air Guard Station, N.H.; and Rickenbacker Air Guard Station, Ohio.
The preferred site is expected to be announced this spring with a final decision made by the Secretary of the Air Force in spring 2014. The selected site will begin receiving the KC-46A tankers in fiscal year 2018.
The 171st Air Refueling Wing is made up of 1,300 personnel and 16 KC-135T Stratotankers. The KC-135s are capable of refueling U.S. and NATO aircraft as well as transporting cargo and passengers worldwide. Additionally, 171st personnel are regularly called upon to assist during natural disasters or civil emergencies. The wing, one of three wings in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, has called Coraopolis its home since 1947.
For more information about the 171st Air Refueling Wing visit http://www.171arw.ang.af.mil/