Photo By Senior Airman Aidan Thompson | Senior leaders and newly inducted honorary commanders from across the joint base pose...... read more read more
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The Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst community celebrated a historic milestone as it welcomed the 24th and final KC-46A Pegasus to its fleet on Aug. 2, 2024. This event marked the culmination of a three-year process that advances Air Mobility Command’s rapid global mobility and operational capabilities.
The arrival ceremony was attended by senior leaders and newly inducted honorary commanders from around the joint base, alongside key leadership from the 305th Air Mobility Wing, 514th Air Mobility Wings, New Jersey Air National Guard’s 108th Wing and representatives from Boeing, the aircraft’s manufacturer.
The KC-46A Pegasus is a state-of-the-art multirole tanker, designed to refuel all U.S., allied, and coalition military aircraft compatible with international aerial refueling procedures. It utilizes both the refueling boom and drogue systems, allowing for the simultaneous refueling of multiple aircraft, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.
“Bringing home our final KC-46 allows us to close out one chapter and focus on fully employing this incredibly capable asset” said U.S. Air Force Col. Kathleen Hasson, 305 AMW commander. “This weapon system extends mission reach, enhances connectivity, and provides critical maneuver to the joint force through enhanced mobility operations."
The KC-46’s multifunctional capabilities include the Advanced Battle Management System, which enhances its ability to collect, process, and share data across air, land, sea, and space domains. This next-generation system ensures that the U.S. Air Force remains at the forefront of technological advancements in military operations.
Following insights from Exercise Mobility Guardian 2023, Air Mobility Command has focused on enhancing connectivity within its fleet. The KC-46 fleet is integral to AMC’s 25x25 initiative, which aims to connect 25 percent of the fleet by 2025.
The 25x25 initiative addresses the critical need for connectivity in contested environments, increased mobility of the Joint Force, and improved survivability and for operational effectiveness.
“The completion of the KC-46 fleet marks a significant milestone for the JB MDL community,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Anthony Smith, Joint Base and 87th Air Base Wing commander. “Celebrating this achievement with our newly inducted honorary commanders has given them a firsthand glimpse into the essential capabilities we deliver to global operations. The unwavering support from our community partners and civic leaders is truly remarkable, and I am confident this event will leave a lasting impression for years to come.”
Representatives from Boeing expressed great pride in delivering the final aircraft, celebrating the importance of this milestone for both the company, the U.S. Air Force and the global air refueling mission.
“This 24th and final KC-46 delivery is a significant milestone for the 305th Air Mobility Wing” said Jack Flynt, Boeing’s lead for Business Development and Strategy. “I can tell you that the excitement and pride you see at this event is equally shared by all those at Boeing who helped make this aircraft and this day a reality. As an Air Force veteran who once had a hand in training these fantastic KC-46 aircrew, this is a full-circle moment. The Airmen of the “Can Do” Wing provided exceptional support as I transited this base conducting C-17 missions during my career. Now I have the opportunity to return the favor as a member of the Boeing team who will partner with the 305th to help sustain these KC-46s well into the future.”
As JB MDL celebrates the completion of its KC-46 fleet, the focus now shifts to operational readiness and leveraging the full spectrum of the aircraft’s capabilities. The 305th AMW, 514th AMW, 108th Wing, supported by the 87th Air Base Wing, will continue to refine operations, ensuring that they remain postured to execute the nation’s most critical missions… any time, anywhere.
“With the final KC-46 now in place, we have increased our readiness and ability to execute unrivalled global reach while providing invaluable battlespace awareness,” said Hasson. “The ingenuity and perseverance of our 'Can Do' aircrew, maintainers, and support personnel ensure we can meet the demands levied upon us by the complex strategic environment we live and operate in today and into the future.”
The arrival of the final KC-46A Pegasus for the JB MDL fleet marks the beginning of an exciting new era in aerial refueling and mobility operations. This milestone reaffirms the joint base’s pivotal role in enabling global reach not only for the U.S. Air Force, but the DoD and its valued mission partners worldwide.
| Date Taken: | 08.08.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 08.11.2024 19:58 |
| Story ID: | 478272 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NEW JERSEY, US |
| Web Views: | 2,325 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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