TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The U.S. Air Force is holding an open house meeting April 21 to solicit comments from members of the communities surrounding the base on the proposed bed down of the KC-46A Third Main Operating Base, or MOB 3, mission here.
Opportunities for the public to provide testimony and ask questions will be available at the meeting. Written comments will also be accepted. The meeting will be held from 5-8 p.m. April 21 at the Sheraton Midwest City Hotel at the Reed Conference Center, located at 5750 Will Rogers Rd. in Midwest City, Oklahoma.
The Air Force has identified Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, as the preferred alternative for the new mission. Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana, and Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts, were selected as reasonable alternatives. The KC‑46A will provide aerial refueling support to the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied nation coalition force aircraft with more refueling capacity, improved efficiency, and increased capabilities for cargo and aeromedical evacuation than the current aging tanker fleet.
The new mission includes the basing of 12 KC-46A aircraft, facilities, infrastructure and manpower at an Air Force installation within the continental U.S., where the Air Force Reserve Command would lead a mobility Air Force mission. The purpose of the MOB 3 mission is to provide a fully-capable, combat-operational KC-46A aerial refueling squadron to accomplish aerial refueling and related missions.
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, the Air Force will analyze potential environmental consequences associated with basing the KC-46A tanker at each location and publish an Environmental Impact Statement. A “No Action Alternative” will also be examined in the event the MOB 3 mission is not based at any installation. A location designation will not be made until the EIS is completed. More information can be obtained from the project website at: www.KC‑46A‑beddown.com.
Comments can be submitted to project website or to the following mailing address, Mr. Hamid Kamalpour, U.S. Air Force, AFCEC/CZN U.S. Air Force, AFCEC/CZN, 2261 Hughes Ave, Ste 155, Lackland AFB, TX, 78236-9853.
As a convenience for those sending comments by mail, a comment form is available on the website to help expedite submissions. Public input must be received by April 25, 2016, in order to ensure consideration in the draft EIS. All comments will be accepted throughout the analysis process.