Air Force names McConnell as first active duty-led KC-46A Main Operating Base Published April 23, 2014 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Air Force officials announced today that McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., has been selected as the first active duty led KC-46A Pegasus main operating base (MOB 1). "We are very proud and excited to be selected for this mission," said Col. Joel Jackson, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "As the premiere supertanker wing in the world, the Total Force Airmen of Team McConnell will continue to lead the way with the next generation of tankers." McConnell AFB was selected as the preferred alternative for the KC-46A MOB 1 in May 2013 because it scored the best overall in criteria set forth by Headquarters Air Force and has been waiting for an Environmental Impact Assessment to be completed before an official announcement could be made. The release of the study and the official announcement by the Air Force now clears the way for McConnell AFB to receive the 36 KC-46A aircraft. "I am very pleased that the location of the main operating base at McConnell means that our Citizen Airmen will be among the first to fly and maintain the KC-46A," said Col. Mark S. Larson, commander of the 931st Air Refueling Group. "We look forward to working together with our active duty partners in the 22nd Air Refueling Wing in successfully performing this new mission." The KC-46A will gradually replace the KC-135 Stratotanker at McConnell as the new aircraft arrive with the KC-135 aircraft being dispersed throughout the rest of the Air Force. Altus Air Force Base, Okla., was selected as the KC-46A formal training unit, and Pease Air Guard Station, N.H. was selected as the first Air National Guard KC-46A main operating base (MOB 2). The FTU and MOB 1 will begin receiving aircraft in 2016.