Community Corner
171st Refueling Wing on Short List for Tankers
U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy announced the Moon Township base has been named a "reasonable alternative" for next round.
The 171st Refueling Wing in Moon Township has been named as a “reasonable alternative” for serving as the future home of a KC-46A squadron, according to U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy's office.
The KC-46A is the next-generation tanker fleet for the United States Air Force.
The 171st Refueling Wing is now home to more than a dozen KC-135 tankers, which were manufactured in the 1950s. The newer KC-46A is capable of carrying more cargo and fuel than its predecessor, according to the Air Force.
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“Today’s announcement reinforces the fact that Southwestern Pennsylvania’s bases offer an unrivaled low-cost structure and unique value to the military," Murphy said in a statement. "The 171st Air National Guard is well-positioned to serve as a permanent home to the KC-46A refueling tankers as the Pentagon moves forward with future basing decisions. We are excited to be on the short list.”
During a phone call with Air Force Vice Chief of Staff General Larry Spencer on Wednesday, Murphy said "the Air Force recognizes what a special opportunity basing its newest aircraft in our region would be."
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"It’s important to remember that the 171st Air Wing is still very much in the running for future basing priorities. What’s critical now is to continue the dedication and hard work that made the Pittsburgh base a finalist.”
In the first round, the “preferred alternative” for the first Air National Guard KC-46A main operating base is Pease Air Guard Station, N.H.
There will be three more rounds and Pittsburgh’s 171st is among a handful of bases across the country being considered for the new planes.
Murphy has been in communication with the PA National Guard and the other Air Force Leadership, including those at the 171st, to determine what investments to advance at Pittsburgh International Airport and the base itself to improve its position in the next round.
“Selection of the 171st as only one of five finalists nationwide is proof that the Department of Defense recognizes the expertise, low cost structure, and educated workforce our region offers, and is willing to base its latest and most important hardware here. I’m going to keep working with our congressional delegation, local elected officials, and the region’s military community to make the 171st the strongest-positioned competitor in future rounds to host the Air Force’s new air-refueling tanker.”
The roughly $35 billion program would deliver 179 new KC-46s to replace the aging KC-135 tanker fleet and represents the Department of Defense’s first replacement for the planes since 2001. Total replacement of the 400 KC-135s is expected to be completed by 2028.
Murphy made note that, housing new KC-46As at the 171st would likely result in it becoming an “association base’ that could include an increase of up to 200 new active duty Air Force military.
Last year, Congressman Murphy successfully blocked an effort by the Pentagon to transfer four tankers from the 171st as part of a force-restructuring plan.
Last spring, Murphy wrote to the President about the unique value of the 171st and 911th Airlift Wing, testified before the House Armed Services Committee about the bases, visited the Air Refueling Wing, and later helped to enact legislation blocking the transfer.
Murphy held numerous meetings with high-ranking Air Force generals and Pentagon officials to discuss the attributes and contributions of the 171st Air Refueling Wing.
The 171st, which is currently home to 16 KC-135s and over 1,000 guardsmen, is one of only two super-refueling squadrons in the Air Guard.
The Wing has successfully supported refueling missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. In March 2011, the 171st was called upon to enforce the no-fly zone over Libya.
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