MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kansas – McConnell Air Force Base is relocating its KC-135R Stratotanker and KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft to other military bases across the country today, due to projected severe weather, according to a media release from the base.
That severe weather is forecasted to hit the local area Monday evening into Tuesday morning, so McConnell’s flightline is hub of activity as Airmen and aircrews are launching and relocating the base’s KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135R Stratotanker fleet to other military bases across the country. This will ensure the aircraft maintain full readiness to support current and future tasked missions, while also avoiding any potential damage should the forecasted severe weather achieve its full upper potential.
All remaining aircraft, undergoing various phases of maintenance, along with a range of flightline vehicles and equipment, are being stored in hangars as the base readies for the full range of potential weather outcomes.
This will be the fifth weather relocation in three months for McConnell. Previous weather relocations sent aircraft flying away on March 5, and then April 1, 17 and 25.