Altus AFB selected as preferred alternative KC-46 Formal Training Unit

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  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Altus Air Force Base was identified today as the preferred location for the KC-46A tanker aircraft Formal Training Unit.

The Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff approved the preferred location for the FTU, with McConnell AFB, Kan., selected as the preferred alternative for the first active duty led KC-46A Main Operating Base (MOB 1) and Fairchild AFB, Wash., and Grand Forks AFB, N.D., are the reasonable alternatives.

The Air Force took a deliberate, enterprise-wide look across the service to identify the best fit for the KC-46A for training and operational needs. Following the candidate selections for the FTU and MOB, the Air Force conducted detailed, on-the-ground evaluations of the candidate bases, covering the full range of operational and infrastructure requirements.

The results of the surveys were briefed to the Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, who selected the preferred and reasonable alternatives for this mission.

"The Air Force chose these locations using operational analysis, results of site surveys, and military judgment factors," said Timothy Bridges, the Air Force deputy assistant secretary for installations.

Altus AFB was selected as the preferred alternative for the KC-46A FTU because it provides great training opportunities, he said. There is significant benefit of collocating KC-46A trainers with both tanker and heavy receiver aircraft for training purposes.

Altus AFB also has better infrastructure capacity, greater fuels dispensing capability and requires considerably less new construction, Bridges added.

There is already a formal training wing located at Altus; therefore, less active-duty manpower will be required to stand up this training operation.

The KC-46A is the first of a three-phase effort to replace more than 400 KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft Air Force wide.

Air Force officials emphasized that bringing the KC-46A online is an important step in recapitalizing the tanker fleet. Officials also highlighted the importance of continuing KC-135 upgrade efforts and its role as the backbone of the air refueling fleet.

"The men and women of Altus AFB are excited to take on the challenge of training the next generation of KC-46 aircrew members," said Col. Anthony Krawietz, 97th AMW commander. "We have a tremendous Active Duty, Reserve and civilian work force here that will continue to remain focused on providing first-class global mobility training in the KC-135 Stratotanker and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. We trust that the final basing decision will meet warfighter needs."

The Air Force is currently analyzing the potential environmental impacts at each location before a final basing decision is made, scheduled for the spring of 2014. The FTU and MOB 1 will begin receiving aircraft in fiscal year 2016.