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The United States Air Force has been at the forefront of airpower innovation for years. The ability to expeditiously refuel aircraft increases our ability to project power throughout the Pacific, and with the addition of the Boeing KC-46A Pegasus, that ability just got stronger.
For the month of October, McConnell Air Force Base sent two KC-46As to Andersen Air Force Base to perform aircrew and en route maintenance training in the Pacific. McConnell’s 344th Air Refueling Squadron was tasked with performing an initial operations test and evaluation and documenting test points that will improve the KC-46A program as it integrates into the Air Force.
“As legacy tankers age out and retire, the KC-46A will usher in the future of aerial refueling in the Air Force,” said Lt Col. Theodore Fisher, commander of the 344 ARS, “The inherent capabilities of the KC-46A integrate well with the joint force and provide battle-space awareness not found in other tanker
assets.”
Andersen was chosen as one of the bases to test the aircraft’s capabilities and to assess the possibility of bringing the aircraft to assist in Andersen’s everyday mission.
“Guam is an important strategic hub in the Pacific and Team 46 is excited to be on island and ascertain how the KC-46A will integrate into the INDOPACOM region now and into the future,” said Fisher “ We’ve brought a breadth of personnel, some very experienced in the PACAF mission from
Andersen, but we also have folks here for the first time. The support and welcome we’ve received has been first rate.”
The refueling capacity of the KC-46A might be one of the best so far, but the versatility of the plane is what makes it such an important addition to the fleet.
“The Pacific Ocean is massive and requires force extension for most assets to operate,” said Fisher, “Aside from our aerial refueling role, the KC-46 offers passenger carry up to 112 passengers, aeromedical evacuation capability, and cargo movement up to 65,000 pounds; all of which will prove critical in a humanitarian assistance/disaster relief capacity.”
| Date Taken: | 10.21.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 11.03.2020 16:52 |
| Story ID: | 382056 |
| Location: | GU |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Andersen Hosts the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus, by SrA Amir Young, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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