Nebraska’s congressional delegation is urging the U.S. Air Force to select the Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th Air Refueling Wing in Lincoln as the next home for the KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling aircraft.
Senator Pete Ricketts sent a letter to Air Force Secretary Troy Meink and was joined by Senator Deb Fischer and Representatives Don Bacon, Mike Flood, and Adrian Smith. The delegation says Lincoln is well-positioned to host the next generation of refueling aircraft because of its central location, long runway, available infrastructure, strong recruiting record, and established global partnerships.
The Air Force is expected to select one of 14 Air National Guard bases currently operating the aging KC-135 Stratotanker to receive eight KC-46 aircraft as part of its modernization effort. The delegation also highlighted the 155th Air Refueling Wing’s history of supporting major military operations, its partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center on aeromedical evacuation missions, and ongoing runway improvements at Lincoln Air National Guard Base.
Air Force officials have not announced when a final basing decision will be made.