Governor Pat McCrory celebrated the selection of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base as the location for the first Reserve-led KC-46A Pegasus Air Refueling Squadron.
“The selection of Seymour Johnson by the U.S. Air Force as part of its program to modernize the tanker fleet is a reflection of North Carolina’s commitment to support and protect the operational capability of our military,” Governor McCrory said.
Pending an environmental impact study, the first KC-46As should arrive at Seymour Johnson in 2019. The KC-46 is a widebody tanker, manufactured by Boeing, that can refuel all U.S., allied and coalition military aircraft.
"I am pleased to announce Seymour Johnson AFB as the first Reserve-led location because it is a testament to the Air Force's commitment to the total force,” Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James said in a statement. “The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve are vital to accomplishing our air refueling mission. Therefore, the ability to recruit for and maintain a strong Reserve component association was a major consideration in this basing action.”
Seymour Johnson was selected ahead of Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma; Westover Air Reserve Base (ARB), Massachusetts; and Grissom ARB, Indiana, which were named as the reasonable alternatives.