Scott Air Force Base could begin construction of a new hangar in late 2027 if Congress approves $79 million included in the Senate’s version of the annual defense budget.
The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the funding last month as part of its proposal for the National Defense Authorization Act. The money would be used to complete the design and construction of a replacement hangar used by 126th Air Refueling Wing.
The Illinois Air National Guard wing operates the nine KC-135 refueling tankers at the Metro East air base. Replacing the wing’s current maintenance hangar would drastically improve its chances of transitioning to the next generation of refuelers, the KC-46, said Col. Nicolas Henschel, the wing’s commander…