Shaheen and Ayotte Statement on Air Force KC-46A Announcement

Statement

Following an Air Force announcement today regarding development challenges in the KC-46A program, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), both members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement:

"We are disappointed that the KC-46A program is experiencing development problems, but we are confident that Boeing and the Air Force are working hard to address these challenges as quickly and effectively as possible. The most important thing is to provide our combatant commanders and airmen the best possible tanker that will help them accomplish their missions and protect our country for decades to come," said Senators Shaheen and Ayotte.

They continued, "We are so proud that the 157th Air Refueling Wing earned the right to be the first Air National Guard unit in the nation to receive the next-generation KC-46A tanker and we will continue to push Boeing and the Air Force to deliver the aircraft to Pease on schedule. We are committed to this program and will continue to monitor its progress very closely to protect taxpayers, advocate for the members of the New Hampshire Air National Guard, and ensure our warfighters receive the world's best possible tanker."

Shaheen and Ayotte have used their positions on the Senate Armed Services Committee to advocate in an effective and bipartisan manner for the New Hampshire National Guard. The Air Force selected Pease to be the first Air National Guard base in the country to host the KC-46A.

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