US Air Force Launches KC-46A Pegasus for its First Real Combat Support Mission.

On September 8, 2024, at Pease Air National Guard Base in New Hampshire, a ceremony was held in Hangar 254 to honor more than 180 airmen preparing to deploy for a mission in support of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). This deployment marks a significant moment for the U.S. Air Force as it is the first operational deployment of the KC-46A Pegasus refueling tanker to a combat command. The mission is led by the 157th Air Refueling Wing of the New Hampshire National Guard, with support from the active-duty 64th Air Refueling Squadron.
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KC-46 Pegasus from Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H., participate in an elephant walk, Sept. 8, 2021 (Picture source: US Air Forces)

The KC-46A Pegasus is a next-generation refueling aircraft developed by Boeing to replace the aging KC-135 fleet within the U.S. Air Force. Its development began in 2011, with the first flight in December 2014. The aircraft entered service in January 2019, with the first delivery to McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. The U.S. Air Force has ordered a total of 179 KC-46As, with 87 currently in service as of 2024.

The KC-46A features advanced aerial refueling capabilities, supporting a wide range of fixed-wing aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. Equipped with a refueling boom and a hose-and-drogue system, it is capable of multi-point refueling operations. The KC-46A can also transport cargo, perform aeromedical evacuations, and carry passengers, with a payload capacity of 65,000 pounds and a fuel capacity of 212,299 pounds. Its enhanced survivability features and communication systems allow it to operate in contested environments, making it a key asset for future military missions.

During their mission overseas, aircrews, technicians, and support elements will utilize this next-generation refueling aircraft to support CENTCOM operations, aiming to deter Iranian threats, counter violent extremist organizations, and strategically compete with global powers.

Several political figures, including New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, and Major General David Mikolaities, the adjutant general of the state's National Guard, were present to show their support. Mikolaities emphasized the importance of this mission while recalling the many firsts achieved by the 157th Wing, which quickly adapted to new technologies such as the KC-46.

Over the past decade, the 157th Wing transitioned from the KC-135 to the KC-46, becoming the first unit to reach initial operational capability and conduct long missions, such as a 36-hour sortie to Guam and back. This deployment marks another milestone in demonstrating the unit's ability to support a combat command with a next-generation refueling aircraft.

A KC-46A Pegasus prepares to land July 28th, 2019 at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan (Picture source: US Air Forces)

Military officials also highlighted the importance of this mission under the U.S. Air Force's Air Force Generation (AFFORGEN) model, which allows units to deploy cohesive and sustainable forces ready to face any threat at any time. This model ensures that units can train, deploy, and recover as effective combat units without requiring additional resources from other military branches.

The ceremony also marked the start of an intense preparation phase for the airmen, including mission briefings and family support events. Airmen such as Senior Airman Abby Stroup and Captain Andrew Duggan expressed their expectations for this deployment, which will be the first operational mission for many of them. Both expressed their readiness to take on the challenge and put their training into practice.

Lieutenant Colonel James Lux, KC-46 pilot and deployed commander, praised his team's efforts over the past five years in preparing for this moment. He described the deployment as a testament to the wing's preparation and expertise in utilizing this new platform.

This deployment represents a major milestone in the careers of these airmen and for the U.S. Air Force, marking the operational use of the KC-46A in a combat environment, contributing to the defense of U.S. interests in strategically sensitive regions.