The first two Boeing Tanker KC-46A Pegasus departed from Everett to McConnell Air Force Base, where the 22ndAir Refueling Wing will be the first unit to possess the latest in-flight refueling aircraft.
The base at McConnell, near Wichita, will receive two more tankers in the coming weeks. The Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma will receive four aircraft to support aircrew training.
The Air Force will soon begin evaluating the KC-46's systems in operationally realistic scenarios, a requirement before the aircraft can be used in combat. It will also continue to validate the KC-46's refueling capabilities, including aircraft such as the B-2 bomber, C-5 cargo plane, and F-35 fighter. Previous tests involved the B-52 bomber, the C-17 cargo plane, and the F-15E and F / A-18 fighters, among others.
