WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today welcomed the long awaited first new KC-46 aerial refueling tanker to McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas.

“It is exciting and no surprise to all of us that McConnell will be leading the way with the next-generation aerial refueling aircraft that will upgrade the Air Force’s fleet, expand operational capabilities and enhance flexibility for our airmen,” Roberts said.

The Boeing KC-46 Pegasus will replace the aging KC-135 Stratotanker. McConnell Air Force Base will bed down a total of 36 aircraft.

The following remarks were prepared for delivery:

First, I would like to thank all those attendance today and for the opportunity to say a few words. It is a great honor in the U.S. Senate to represent the many men and women of McConnell Air Force Base.

The good if not great news is that the long awaited KC- 46 will now be in the capable hands of the men and women of the 22^nd and 931^st Aerial Refueling Wings.

I know you have been training and preparing to receive the first of the fleet and I have no doubt you are ready to fuel the fight.

Since 2001, 18 long years ago, as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, I have been fighting for you ­­-- and to replace the Air Force’s aging Eisenhower Era KC- 135 tanker fleet with an American made plane.

Back in 2001 we learned the hard way that the oceans no longer protected us. As the Air Force began to assess its fleet to meet the asymmetric threats of global terrorism, we learned then that every 5 years the KC-135 spent 400 days in depot. Which meant one fourth of the fleet was in maintenance at any given time.

We all know that the tanker is indispensable to mission success. So then Senator Sam Brownback and 4^th district Congressman Todd Tiahrt and I teamed up to make the case for a new tanker now……. And isn’t she a beauty?!

During this lengthy procurement process, the men and women at McConnell and in Wichita showed why you are the best of the best.

You are the unsung heroes that keep the KC- 135 tankers in the air. At every roadblock, you are never deterred; you are finding innovative ways to ensure the tankers are in fighting shape. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you!

While we celebrate your skill, determination and grit, we turn the page now and welcome the new Pegasus KC-46 to the fight.

It is exciting and no surprise to all of us that Kansas will be leading the way with the next-generation aerial refueling aircraft that will upgrade the Air Force’s fleet, expand operational capabilities and enhance flexibility for our airmen.

In 18 years we had to overcome a lot, we never gave up but we persevered and we got the job done.

This new mission means our airmen at McConnell will continue to play a vital role in national defense and will continue to enrich Wichita and the rest of our state. I am proud of the work we have done and I look forward to seeing the great things that lie ahead.

Since 2001, Senator Roberts has led the charge in Kansas to replace the Air Force’s aging, “Eisenhower-era” tanker fleet with an American-made plane. The Senator first called for a replacement to the KC-135 as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities.

During an Armed Services Committee hearing, Roberts held up a piece of corroded metal from a KC-135 to illustrate to his colleagues on the committee the unsafe, unsecure and unacceptable conditions our airmen were forced to deal with when operating the current, dated aircraft.

During the hearing, the Senator noted that due to the significant maintenance requirements of the tanker, 40 percent of the fleet was grounded at any given time. Fortunately, the Senator’s passion for the issue helped convince the authorizers, and later the appropriators, that the Air Force must solicit bids for a replacement tanker.

Following a long and controversial procurement process, Boeing was eventually awarded the contract, with delivery of the planes set for 2017. Delays in production and testing have pushed delivery to 2019.

In 2014, McConnell’s 22^nd Air Refueling Wing and 931^st Reserve Air Refueling Group were named the first to operate, maintain and command the new tanker in the Air Force.

In 2015, due to Senator Roberts’ strong support and consistent advocacy, the Air Force announced the 931^st would become an Air Refueling Wing, adding 400 reservists to McConnell.

Senator Roberts is a former Marine and is an outspoken advocate for Kansas’ military installations, men and women in uniform and their families.