Senator Marshall Praises Forbes Field Being Named Candidate Location for KC-46A Mission

Topeka - U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), praised the Air National Guard's decision to identify Forbes Field Air National Guard Base in Topeka as one of four candidate locations for its next KC-46A Pegasus mission.

"This is great news for Kansas and well-deserved recognition of the men and women of the 190th Air Refueling Wing," said Senator Marshall. "Forbes Field has the infrastructure, the experience and, most importantly, the outstanding Airmen needed to take on this next-generation mission."

The Secretary of the Air Force approved Forbes Field, along with Bangor Air National Guard Base in Maine, Key Field Air National Guard Base in Mississippi, and Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Ohio, as candidate locations for Mission Operations Base 9. The selected location is slated to receive eight KC-46A aircraft.

"Forbes Field is the absolute right place for basing the KC-46A Pegasus," Brig. Gen. Paul Schneider, the adjutant general, said. "The Kansas Airmen of the 190th Air Refueling Wing continue to set the standard for excellence, as demonstrated by their flawless execution during Operation Epic Fury, their ability to maintain personnel strength above 100% of authorized, and remarkable maintenance record. As the Secretary of the Air Force moves forward with the MOB 9 strategic basing process, the 190th stands ready to recapitalize their legacy KC-135s with the modern capability of eight KC-46A aircraft, ensuring Kansas remains the premier hub for global reach."

In the coming weeks, the Air National Guard's Basing and Conversions Division will conduct town halls with the four candidate locations to discuss site-survey criteria and upcoming milestones.

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Contact: Payton Fuller