RIVERSIDE >> Supporters of March Air Reserve Base near here expressed shock that it wasn’t among those chosen for the new generation of refueling tankers.
“After reading that we received no points for our 13,000-foot-long runway and our wide taxiways, it makes me wonder who was doing the scoring,” said Tom Freemanm, commissioner for Riverside County’s Office of Military and Defense Services.
The Air Force on Wednesday announced that Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina, Westover Air Reserve Base in Massachusetts and Air Reserve Base in Indiana have been named as the candidate bases for the first Air Force Reserve-led KC-46A Pegasus location.
“The KC-46A Pegasus aerial tanker remains one of our top three acquisition properties,” said Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James in a statement. “It is absolutely essential that we replace our aging tanker fleet so we have the aircraft necessary to maintain the nation’s global research for years to come.”
The KC-135 tankers operated at March ARB are more than 50 years old, Freeman said.
Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, on Friday issued the following statement in response to the Air Force’s decision not to select March ARB as a candidate base for the new KC-46 tanker aircraft:
“March Air Reserve Base plays a significant role contributing to our military’s air mobility, including the air refueling mission, and was the only Air Force Reserve base located on the West Coast that was in contention for this round of base selections. That is why many people, myself included, were so surprised to learn that March was not chosen as a candidate base.
“The air refueling mission at March has and will continue to be an integral part of the base’s significant support of our national security. I will continue to advocate for March as an ideal location for the future beddown of KC-46s.”
Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside, said: “I am extremely disappointed that March Air Reserve Base was not selected as a candidate for KC-46A MOB 3. I will be asking the Air Force for detailed information about the factors contributing to this decision, in particular, exactly how March ARB was evaluated.
“I would also like to know why, when both President Obama and Secretary of Defense Carter have emphasized the strategic importance of rebalancing our forces to the Pacific, none of the final candidates for this basing decision are located in the Pacific region. March ARB continues to serve an essential role in our nation’s defense infrastructure, even more so since the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing at March received the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle last year. The addition of KC-46As will only serve to strengthen that role.
“As I did with the MQ-9s, I am going to continue to work with my colleagues in Congress, the Air Force, and Base leadership to ensure the March receives the aircraft it needs to support its mission and bolster our nation’s defense.”
