Grissom ARB, Ind.; Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.; Tinker AFB, Okla.; and Westover ARB, Mass., are the candidates to be the first Air Force Reserve Command-led KC-46A main operating location, announced Air Force officials on Tuesday. The base that wins out is expected to receive its KC-46s starting in Fiscal 2019, states the release. Air Mobility Command and Air Force Reserve Command will soon survey each site and develop cost estimates for bedding down the new KC-46 tankers at each location. Armed with that data, they will brief the Air Force leadership, leading to the announcement of the preferred site and reasonable alternatives this summer, states the release. Already, the Air Force has identified McConnell AFB, Kan., as the first Active Duty-led KC-46 main operating base, Pease ANGB, N.H., as the first Air National Guard-led MOB, and Altus AFB, Okla., as home to the KC-46 formal training unit.
Officials at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., said the range is “fully mission capable” to support launches following a major May 28 mishap involving Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket.