McConnell Air Force Base to receive refueling tankers

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) – McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita could receive its first KC-46 air refueling tanker later this month.

Boeing announced on Thursday that the Air Force has accepted the aircraft and signed the paperwork allowing deliveries to proceed. The tanker uses the Boeing 767 passenger airplane as its airframe.

The company says McConnell will receive the first four aircraft, all of which are ready for delivery. The next four aircraft are slated for Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma.

The long-awaited tankers replace KC-135 air refueling tankers used by McConnell’s two air refueling wings, the 22nd and 931st Air Refueling Wings. Eventually, McConnell will have 36 KC-46s to replace its aging fleet.

Kansas Sens. Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran said that they were pleased the planes were finally coming to McConnell.