The U.S. Air Force and Boeing have announced plans for the first Boeing-built KC-46 Tanker, a military version of the 767 commercial aircraft, to be delivered to bases in Oklahoma and Kansas in October.
The announcement drew praise from U.S. Reps. Tom Cole (R-OK) and Frank Lucas (R-OK), whose congressional districts include Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma and McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas, scheduled to be the first bases to receive KC-56 Tanker deliveries.
“As a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I am thrilled that the KC-46 Tanker delivery schedule has been announced,” Cole said. “The Air Force and other services will greatly benefit from this highly capable aircraft, which is a militarized version of the Boeing 767. The ability to conduct in-flight refueling, as well as provide a cargo deck with three times as much cargo and twice as many passengers as the existing KC-135, is a tremendous improvement for our warfighters.”
Four KC-46 Tankers will be delivered to both Altus Air Force Base and McConnell Air Force Base in October. The Air Force broke ground on a 158-acre Tanker Sustainment Campus on Tink Air Force Base in Oklahoma in 2016. The campus is expected to house 1,300 employees.
“The announcement of the first KC-46 Tanker deliveries is great news for Altus Air Force Base and the surrounding community,” Lucas said. “I am proud of the hardworking men and women at this base whose efforts have made Altus the best option for the KC-46A Formal Training Unit, and it is always encouraging to see projects like this generate economic growth in Oklahoma’s Third District. For 75 years, Altus AFB has played a critical role in our country’s national defense, and today we are excited to see that mission expand even further.”