COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio lawmakers are pushing to bring the Air Force’s next-generation KC-46 Pegasus refueling jets to Columbus, a move supporters say would strengthen national defense and boost the state’s economy.
The Ohio House adopted the nonbinding Resolution 243 on Nov. 20 that asks the Secretary of the Air Force to select the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base as a main operating base for the KC-46, which is replacing the aging KC-135 Stratotanker that has flown for more than 60 years.
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State Rep. Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville), the primary sponsor, told lawmakers during the resolution’s first hearing on Oct. 22 in the Veterans and Military Development Committee that the air refueling wing already serves as “the core aerial refueling hub for KC-135 aircrafts for the U.S. Air Force and the Air National Guard.” She said committee members saw that work firsthand during a recent visit.
“We discovered the service being done right here in our backyard by the outstanding 121st Air Refueling Wing,” Richardson said during the October hearing. “The Air Force is looking to phase out the use of the KC-135 and replace them with the KC-46 Pegasus. This resolution urges the Secretary of the Air Force to relocate the KC-46s to Ohio.”
Co-sponsor Rep. Haraz Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg) called Rickenbacker “one of the premier units in the Air National Guard and the Air Force with a reputation for operational excellence, pride, efficiency, innovation, and community support.” He said the base’s two 12,000-foot runways, modern simulator facilities and proximity to Department of Defense customers make it well suited for KC-46 operations…