PEASE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.H. -- The 157th Air Refueling Wing added two new KC-46 aircraft to its fleet, March 6.
“Holy cow is it a great airplane!” said Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Kennett, Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander of Air Mobility Command, who piloted one of the planes.
Flying the second tanker was Maj. Gen. James P. Scanlan, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander of Air Education and Training Command.
The new additions bring the 157th Air Refueling Wing’s inventory to seven state-of-the-art KC-46 Pegasus Tankers. The Pegasus breathes new life into the critical air refueling mission at Pease, a mission long-held by its predecessor the KC-135 Stratotanker. In addition to air refueling, the new planes can also be used for troop and cargo transport as well as air ambulance services.
On Saturday, March 7, the two distinguished Generals spoke to members of the 157th Operations Group in the Loy auditorium.
“I was honored to deliver tail number seven,” remarked Scanlan. “You have invested a lot into this and I am here to give you a return on that investment.”
Aircrews from Pease have been routinely flying the new refueling platform since it was first delivered to the wing in August of last year. Often flying in two-ship rotations, they have been practicing refueling and familiarizing themselves with the airplane.
Kennett underscored the moment in his remarks to the Airmen gathered in the Loy auditorium:
“I can’t tell you how impressed I am with your professionalism. The way you are stepping up and demonstrating the Pease way of doing things, it’s really cool.”