Severe weather forces USAF tankers to vacate McConnell AFB

The USAF’s 22nd Air Refueling Wing (ARW) at McConnell AFB, Kansas, was forced to relocate its tanker fleet – which comprises a number of KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135R/T Stratotanker aerial refuelling aircraft – out of state on May 11 due to a severe weather system that was scheduled to strike their home base later that day.

The tanker aircraft were ordered to vacate McConnell AFB as a precautionary measure after severe thunderstorms, which had the potential for severe winds and the possibility of hail, were projected to hit the base during the night on May 11. Commenting on the evacuation, John Van Winkle – Chief of Public Affairs for the 22nd ARW – said: “This relocation is made to protect the aircraft from potential damage and preserve McConnell’s capability to support its Global Mobility mission.”

Boeing KC-46A Pegasus (serial 17-46032) of the USAF's 22nd ARW prepares to touch down at Edwards AFB, California, after being relocated from McConnell AFB, Kansas, on May 11, 2023, due to severe thunderstorms that were scheduled to hit the Kansas base later that day.
Boeing KC-46A Pegasus (serial 17-46032) of the USAF's 22nd ARW prepares to touch down at Edwards AFB, California, after being relocated from McConnell AFB, Kansas, on May 11, 2023, due to severe thunderstorms that were scheduled to hit the Kansas base later that day. USAF/Todd Schannuth

Of the evacuating aircraft, ten KC-46As were relocated to Edwards AFB, California, where they were received by the base’s resident 412th Test Wing. Col Grant Mizell, commander of the 412th Operations Group, praised the work of the personnel at Edwards for being able to accept these tankers at such short notice. “In the few short hours from getting the call [on May 10] to receiving an entire fleet of large aircraft, the women and men of Edwards AFB showed the true mettle and grit to reassure us that they can handle anything that an adversary or mother nature can throw at the USAF

“I’m proud of the flexibility and professional competence displayed by our Edwards AFB team, as they supported a sister military unit during a base relocation. The ability to operate a fleet of tanker or transport aircraft from anywhere in the world is Air Mobility Command’s (AMC’s) specialty, and Edwards AFB’s ability to support any aircraft on a moment’s notice should assure us that the USAF is ready [to] defend America and her interests, every day,” Mizell said.

While the KC-46As were flown to California, the 22nd ARW confirmed to Key.Aero that its evacuating KC-135R/Ts were flown to Fairchild AFB, Washington, adding that all of the tankers had returned to McConnell by May 16. The 22nd ARW – a part of the USAF’s AMC – commands four tanker squadrons at McConnell, including a pair of KC-46A units: the 344th Air Refueling Squadron (ARS) ‘Raven’ and 349th ARS ‘Blue Knights’ and two KC-135R/T squadrons: the 350th ARS ‘Red Falcons’ and 384th ARS ‘Square Patches’. The co-located 931st ARW – a component of Air Force Reserve Command – is an associate unit of the 22nd ARW and borrows their aircraft, when needed.