JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Travis AFB named next KC-46A locations

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force officials selected Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base, California, as the preferred locations for the next two active-duty-led KC-46A Pegasus bases.

Twenty-four KC-46A aircraft will replace the legacy aircraft currently at each of those bases.

“Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst and Travis AFB were chosen as the next two active-duty-led KC-46A bases because they meet all operational mission requirements at the best value for the Air Force and the American taxpayer and support our tanker recapitalization strategy," said Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James. "It is absolutely essential that we continue investing in the next generation of tanker aircraft so we have the aircraft necessary to maintain the nation's global reach for years to come."

Fairchild AFB, Washington, and Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, will be considered as reasonable alternatives during the environmental impact analysis process which is required before a final basing decision is made.

At this time, the Air Force is planning to divest the legacy tankers after growing the tanker fleet to meet its 479 tanker requirement. The timeline is dependent on the KC-46A delivery schedule, but it is not anticipated to reach sufficient KC-46A fleet size and begin legacy divestment at the first location until 2019.

“The KC-46 will afford combatant commanders extended refueling capabilities, improved global reach, and enable timely joint-service response to humanitarian crises and contingency operations around the world,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein. “In fact in the fight against (the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), the Air Force and joint and coalition partners depend on gas from our tankers. In 2016, the coalition flew over 13,600 tanker sorties, fueling aircraft nearly 80,000 times, delivering about 800-million pounds of fuel.”

Altus AFB, Oklahoma; McConnell AFB, Kansas; Pease Air National Guard Station, New Hampshire; and Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina; have already been selected as future KC-46 basing locations. The first KC-46As are expected to begin arriving at McConnell and Altus AFBs in fall of 2017.

The KC-46A will provide improved capability, including boom and drogue refueling on the same sortie, worldwide navigation and communication, airlift capability on the entire main deck floor, receiver air refueling, improved force protection and survivability and multi-point air refueling capability.

Travis AFB and JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst currently host the McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender.

McGuire continues recovery efforts, FEMA base of operations

by 2nd Lt. Alexis McGee Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. (AFNS) -- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst personnel are continuing with recovery efforts and expect to resume most operations Wednesday.

Impact from the storm includes fallen trees, scattered debris, some property damage, minor flooding and power outages.

"The entire joint base's preparation efforts went a long way toward mitigating serious damage," said Maj. Chris Wedewer, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron, operations flight chief. "A majority of the facilities and base housing units on McGuire and Lakehurst have full power. Several power lines were downed by the storm and as a result, most of Dix remains without power. The downed power lines do pose a hazard, but we're working to get them repaired as soon as possible."

The base continues to house 300 U.S. Coast Guard recruits from Cape May, N.J., in addition to providing an installation support base for FEMA Region II and III. FEMA Region II serves New Jersey and New York while FEMA Region III serves Washington D.C., Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

"FEMA will continue recovery efforts for the central and southern New Jersey area from JB MDL as long as necessary," said Bill Douglass, external affairs specialist at FEMA, Region II. "FEMA will also be actively engaged throughout New York, just as it was through much of last year and this, helping communities recover from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in both New York and New Jersey."

In spite of current limitations, base personnel will resume normal operating hours Wednesday.

"The efforts by a small group of people were phenomenal," said Col. Jeffery Doll, Army Support Activity-Dix commander. "I fully expect the recovery effort at our ranges to be completed within 24 hours and for training to resume once power is restored to our facilities."

Evacuated aircraft are also preparing to return to the installation from their temporary shelter locations.

"We're just thankful our folks weathered the storm without serious injury and that we continue to support recovery operations in the local area by hosting the FEMA team here," said Col. John Wood, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst commander.

VR-52/VR-64 Moves to KWRI

Courtesy of Ron "I'm back in the saddle again" Perron in Maryland. Thanks Ron and we all are glad you are on the mend.

Some Willow Grove news links from past few weeks

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst welcomed U.S. Navy Reserve Fixed Wing Logistics (VR) Squadrons 64 and 52 from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, March 19 with an orientation briefing at the base theater.

The squadrons are transferring from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove because of the 2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission.

VR-64 is one of 15 Navy VR squadrons and one of five C-130T's Hercules units comprised of active-duty and reserve members who work full-time 24/7, 365 days a year.

"We are excited to continue our mission here at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst," said Cmdr. Brad Dunham, VR-64 commanding officer. "JB MDL allows our unit more operational flexibility and our servicemembers have a better quality of life, morale and welfare services with the three Warfighter and Family Readiness centers on base."

During the transition to the joint base, VR-64 brought over three C-130T's, 31officers and 180 enlisted personnel. This unit's primary responsibility is transporting people and cargo to support the needs of fleet and combatant commanders. This is accomplished through deployed operations that provide intra-theater lift originating in Bahrain; Atsugi, Japan; and Sigonella, Sicily. Additionally, VR-64 conducts within the continental United States and overseas inter-theater logistics missions that will now emanate from JB MDL.

"Our main mission is providing responsive logistics support to the fleet," said Dunham. "Even though we do not carry as much cargo as a C-17 (Globemaster III), we can fly into remote areas on short notice to deliver people, parts and supplies in support of Navy Operations worldwide, especially in support of humanitarian efforts such as have occurred in Haiti, Indonesia and Pakistan in recent years."

"Our unit is a complete, self-contained organization with all operations done internally," said Cmdr. Wayne Gunther, VR-64 executive officer. "Our pilots run the unit and fly the missions. Our maintenance personnel handle all of our scheduled and unscheduled unit level maintenance. We do our own entire mission planning and also operate our own administration, training and safety departments. Additionally, our air crewmen serve in maintenance or another department when not flying, and are trained to conduct maintenance on the road if need be. Each member of the team has been cross-trained in at least one or more fields."

The unit is also looking for more reservists and encourages all servicemembers who are thinking of making the switch from active-duty to reserve to consider joining VR-64.

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is the nation's only tri-service joint base. Active-duty, reserve and guard servicemembers from the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard ensure total force integration by training, supporting and sustaining installation and global contingency operations. Together, the joint base is uniquely capable of projecting air, land and sea power in support of the nation's defense.

Willow Grove sees final departures

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