KC-46A MOB 5

- Proposed Action/Alternatives -

KC-46A MOB 5 Beddown Map

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is proposing to base the KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft at an installation with an established Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) unit. This base will be Main Operating Base 5 (MOB 5) for KC-46A tanker aircraft within the continental United States. A single squadron of twelve (12) KC-46A aircraft will be based at the MOB 5 installation. This AFRC squadron will require infrastructure, facilities, airfield operations and personnel necessary to support the refueling mission.

The Department of the Air Force used the Strategic Basing Process outlined in AFI 10-503 to identify the following candidate bases for the next AFRC and active-duty KC-46A mission: Beale Air Force Base (AFB), California, Grissom Air Reserve Base (ARB), Indiana, Joint Base Andrews-Naval Air Field Washington, Maryland, March ARB, California, Niagara Falls, New York, and Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.

On January 24, 2022, the Secretary of the Air Force (SecAF) announced that March ARB had been selected as the preferred alternative with Grissom ARB and Tinker AFB as the reasonable alternatives. Along with the No Action Alternative, the preferred alternative and the reasonable alternatives will be evaluated in the EIS.

Implementation of the No Action Alternative would mean that the KC-46A MOB 5 beddown would not occur. Including a No Action Alternative provides Department of the Air Force decision makers a baseline to compare against the potential environmental impacts of the basing action. The No Action Alternative reflects the current status of the installation, where no KC-46A aircraft would arrive, and all existing aircraft would remain in place. No construction, renovation, or demolition of any structure or other infrastructure related to the KC-46A MOB 5 mission would occur and existing flight operations at each of the three installations would not change.

KC-46A

Mission

The KC-46A Pegasus is the first phase in recapitalizing the U.S. Air Force's aging tanker fleet. With greater refueling, cargo and aeromedical evacuation capabilities compared to the KC-135, the KC-46A will provide next generation aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and partner-nation receivers.

Primary Function

Aerial refueling and airlift

Click here to learn more about the KC-46A Aircraft.

KC-135

Mission

The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 60 years. 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.

Primary Function

Aerial refueling and airlift

Click here to learn more about the KC-135 Aircraft.

Public participation is an integral part of this project. Your input is valuable and assists the Department of the Air Force in making better-informed decisions.

Comments can be mailed to the address listed below or submitted electronically to Mr. Austin Naranjo, AFCEC/CZN, afcec.czn.nepacenter@us.af.mil.

Project Contacts: