Council Backs KC-46A Tankers at Pease

Three New Hampshire Air National Guard officers found they didn't have to make a tough sell to get the City Council to support their goal of having the new Air Force KC-46A air tankers based at Pease Air National Guard Base.

New Hampshire Air National Guard Lt. Col. Bill Sylla, Lt. Col. Strider Sulley and Maj. Joel Johnson wanted the City Council's blessing after Pease was named as one of five bases where the new air tankers could be deployed. The council unanimously approved a resolution that was read by Mayor Eric Spear that supports their efforts to land the new air tankers.

Sylla said an Air Force team is scheduled to visit Pease Air National Guard Base in February to assess the base's capabilities to support the new tankers that would replace the current fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers.

Sylla said the New Hampshire Air National Guard is hoping the 157th Air Refueling Wing will receive 12 of the 179 new air tankers in fiscal year 2017.

"We are hoping to be the first guard unit to get them,” Sylla said.

on Jan. 9 that Pease was selected as one of five bases that will be considered by the Air Force for the new KC-46A air tankers. On Jan. 25, Shaheen and Ayotte also announced that the New Hampshire Air National Guard's 157th Air Refueling Wing received the Air Force Outstanding Unit award.

Sylla also explained that Pease Air National Guard Base provides a real economic benefit to the Portsmouth area. Currently, Sylla said there 323 full-time community based jobs and 212 federal civilians who work at the base.

He said a total of 1,087 Air Guard personnel work at the base either part time or full time and there are 128 regular Air Force members stationed there.

Sylla said the New Hampshire Air National Guard had a fiscal year 2012 budget of $113 million. He said New Hampshire Air National Guard members and Air Force members contribute to the local economy by purchasing hotel rooms, office supplies, equipment and meals. He also said $23 million of new construction has occurred on the base since 2002.

Sylla said New Hampshire Air National Guard firefighters provide fire services and the 157th Air Refueling Wing also provides air traffic control for the Portsmouth International Airport.

Spear asked why the Department of Defense would pick Pease for these new aircraft.

Sylla said Pease “is a very cost effective” option for the military for the foreseeable future. He also explained that Pease has always enjoyed a key strategic location to support the U.S. military's air bridge to Europe and the Middle East.

“We have a lot of capability at the base” with a large runway and huge fuel depot, Sylla said.