North Carolina Congressional Delegation Sends Letter to Secretary of the Air Force in Support of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base

Press Release

On Friday, Congressmen G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) and George Holding (NC-13), along with the entire North Carolina Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Secretary of the Air Force, Deborah James, urging the selection of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base (AFB) in Goldsboro as a host base for a new KC-46A Pegasus tanker unit. The KC-46A Pegasus tanker is the Air Force's newest refueling tanker that will replace the Air Force's aging fleet.

On April 14, 2015, the Air Force announced that Seymour Johnson AFB, Tinker AFB, Westover Air Reserve Base (ARB), and Grissom ARB, are being considered to receive the first Air Force Reserve-led KC-46A tanker unit.

"There is no better base than Seymour Johnson, no better Wing than the 916th, and no better community than Goldsboro to host the new KC-46A," Butterfield said. "The 916th ARW is a talented and experienced unit, and is the right choice to be the first Air Force Reserve-led KC-46A unit. I strongly encourage the Air Force to select Seymour Johnson."

"Seymour Johnson Air Force Base would be an ideal home for an Air Force Reserve -- Pegasus Aerial Tanker Squadron (KC-46A). Seymour Johnson's central location on the east coast, dedicated personnel, and distinguished service history of flying refueling missions for our Armed Forces -- both at home and overseas -- make it the best candidate for our nation's next generation tanker," said Congressman Holding. "I urge the Air Force to select Seymour Johnson as the home of a new tanker squadron."

After announcing the four candidate bases in April, the Air Force has been conducting site surveys and will make a decision this summer on the preferred and alternate base that will receive the KC-46A unit. The twelve aircraft Reserve-led unit is scheduled to be delivered in fiscal year 2019.

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