MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Col. Bruce Hesteltine, 931st Air Refueling Wing commander (left), Chief Master Sgt. Melissa Royster 22nd Air Refueling Wing command chief, and Col. Richard Tanner, 22nd ARW commander, salutes as the 9th KC-46A Pegasus arrives at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. August 9, 2019. This was the 9th KC-46 to arrive at McConnell AFB since the first arrival on January 25, 2019. The KC-46A is the first phase in recapitalizing the U.S. Air Force's aging tanker fleet.
The aircraft will provide aerial refueling to Air Force, joint and partner nation aircraft. McConnell is expected to receive 18 tankers in the first round of deliveries and will end up with a fleet of 36. The KC-46 will eventually replace the U.S. Air Force's aging fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers which have been the backbone of the refueling fleet for more than 50 years. The KC-46 will provide more refueling capability, an increased capacity for cargo, and modern aeromedical evacuation capabilities. The KC-46 is expected to provide aerial refueling to Air Force, joint and partner nation aircraft.