Tampa’s MacDill Air Force Base lost its bid to become home to some of the new KC-46 tankers, according to a release from Congresswoman Kathy Castor.
In fact, the new tankers did not go to any air base east of Kansas.
Instead, the 179 new planes will be assigned to bases in Oklahoma, North Dakota, Kansas and Washington state.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh told Castor during a phone call that the KC-135 tankers will remain an Air Force priority for decades.
So, MacDill, which is home to several KC-135 refueling Stratotankers, will remain home to an active refueling wing for now.
Tampa Bay elected officials and civic leaders had organized a political push to bring the newer tankers to MacDill. Castor is hopeful that some of the future KC-46 tankers will be stationed at MacDill with the 6th Air Mobility Wing.
