JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 305th Air Mobility Wing and the 108th Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, flew from Seattle, Washington, to bring the final KC-46A Pegasus aircraft to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Aug. 7, 2026.
This was the 26th KC-46A in the JB MDL fleet, expanding the 305th AMW’s mission capabilities and furthering its partnership with the 108th Wing. The first KC-46A arrived on base Nov. 9, 2021, replacing the KC-10 Extender, operated by the 305th AMW, and the KC-135 Stratotanker, operated by the 108th Wing and changing the way both wings integrated within the U.S. Air Force.
“From a mission system [perspective] the current KC-46[A] has a lot of capabilities,” U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Anthony Valesquez, 2nd Air Refueling Squadron KC-46 boom operator, said. “And more systems are being added that will allow us to get closer to the fight … [integrating directly] into the fight instead of being a sideline support.”
The KC-46A features a refueling boom driven by a fly-by-wire control system, capable of fuel offload rates required for large aircraft. The KC-46A mission allows for Total Force integration on JB MDL with the 108th Wing’s maintainers, pilots and support Airmen contributing to the 305th AMW’s mission – and all expanding the U.S. Air Force’s global reach.
“One of my priorities is the integration amongst all of the mission areas, not just on the KC-46[A], and our operators or maintainers,” Col. David Shattls, 108th Wing commander, said. “But, also through the support groups and medical groups, to make sure that we have full integration of the two wings, so that we can be as mission effective as possible.”
The exchange of skills and experience between active duty and aNG personnel allows for the integration of diverse mission capabilities. Active-duty personnel who are still training and working towards higher qualifications can learn from guardsmen, which helps with understanding the evolving weapons system, ensuring former lessons learned are taught to new personnel.
With the final aircraft joining the fleet at JB MDL, both active-duty and ANG Airmen are able to apply that expertise to a growing mission set, bringing a broader range of mobility capabilities and options to commanders across the globe.
“As with any weapons system, the tactics, techniques and procedures [are] going to evolve based on what we see downrange,” Col. Allen Morris, 305th AMW commander, said. “That's going to drive the Weapons System Council to push for an expanded envelope of what we can do… in the KC-46A. [As] we're flying and maintaining the jet [we] get more experience and it shows its versatility.”