Officials with the New Hampshire Air National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing are expecting the Air Force to issue a final decision soon that will bring a dozen of the service’s new KC-46A tankers to Pease ANG Base in Portsmouth, reported SeaCoastOnline on Monday. “We don’t foresee any surprises. All signs point to ‘yes,'” said Capt. Aaron McCarthy, wing spokesman, in the report. Service officials in July are expected to complete the environmental impact analysis of basing the new tankers at Pease, he said. Only then may the Air Force leadership issue a record of decision assigning the mission to Pease. In May 2013, the Air Force identified Pease as its preferred site to host the Air Guard’s first KC-46 main operating location. The base is expected to receive its KC-46s starting in 2018. (See also It’s Official: Altus, McConnell to get KC-46A.)
Seven F-22 Raptor pilots have recently been awarded one of the military’s highest decorations for their actions during operations in the Middle East. Six of the pilots were decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for their role in Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.