Military Tankers KC-46 Make Their Debut in the Middle East
Hollerin' About the KC-46's Maiden Voyage
The KC-46 Pegasus aircraft from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., made its debut in the Middle East this October, marking the first-ever operational deployment for this aerial tanker.
Previously, KC-46s had flown from Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, as part of an Employment Concept Exercise in 2022. This exercise helped validate and clear the Pegasus for operational duty. But it wasn't until this deployment that the KC-46s were put to full-scale operational use, as per a news release. This deployment sets the stage for a consistent rotation of KC-46s in the Middle East for the foreseeable future.
In September 2022, the U.S. Air Force's Air Mobility Command cleared the KC-46 for worldwide deployments and combatant commander taskings, such as combat duty. Since then, Pegasus jets have engaged in training exercises, stateside tasks, and operations in locations like the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and South America. However, combat operations were limited.
"This deployment is establishing the foundation for sustained KC-46A expeditionary operations," said Maj. Andrew Doenitz, commander of the new expeditionary squadron. "It's been a team effort across the enterprise to prepare for the KC-46A Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron stand-up, and I'm proud of our Airmen for contributing to this historic achievement.”
The KC-46s deployed and were prepared to start operations in just 72 hours. The Aircraft received the green light for deployment after a last-minute alert. Support agencies from the 305th Air Mobility Wing and 87th Air Base Wing across Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., collaborated to ensure the entire Mission Generation Force Element was trained, equipped and ready to roll out.
The unit completed its first operational sortie on October 8. The Air Force has boosted its aircraft presence in the region as tensions between Iran and Israel heat up.
The Air Force has coined the 305th as a mission generation force element, a new classification related to its evolving force generation and deployment model. It boasts additional capabilities, such as expanded connectivity, increased fuel capacity, and onboard aeromedical evacuation equipment.
The aircraft also brought a Deployable Air Refueling Support Hub kit, a standardized set of mission planning cell components that enables the unit to start issuing air tasking orders within 48 hours of arrival.
Air Forces Central has deactivated the KC-10 and KC-135 Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadrons, although KC-135s continue to operate in the region.
It was initially the Airmen and KC-46s from Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H., who were eagerly waiting to make the first Pegasus deployment. But "emerging requirements within the AOR" and the tasking going to the 305th Air Mobility Wing instead, as per the release.
- The KC-46 Pegasus aircraft, previously validated for operational duty, is now part of the aerospace industry, as its deployment in the Middle East marks the first-ever operational use within the space.
- The U.S. Air Force's Air Mobility Command's clearance for worldwide deployments and combatant commander taskings extended the KC-46's role beyond training exercises, allowing it to engage in full-scale operational use in various regions, like the Middle East.
- The Air Force's new deployment strategy, involving the 305th as a mission generation force element, equips the KC-46 with additional capabilities, such as expanded connectivity, increased fuel capacity, and onboard aeromedical evacuation equipment, enhancing its role in the finance-heavy aerospace industry.
