JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKHURST, N.J. -- Hot off the production line, aircrew from the 141st Air Refueling Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., brought the 18th KC-46 Pegasus assigned here on Jan. 14, 2024.
Aircraft Tail Number 19-6010 is the first KC-46 to be picked up and delivered from the Boeing Everett Factory in Seattle, Washington by an all-National Guard aircrew from the 108th Wing.
The crew and wing leadership were given a tour of the factory and other facilities related to KC-46 production followed by an official handover ceremony.
An operations group representative indicated the trip was a milestone accomplishment for the 108th in its ongoing conversion to the KC-46 and represents an important step forward in the tanker unit’s active-duty association. The Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act directed the divestment of nine Air National Guard KC-135s at the 108th Wing in fiscal 2023 and directed the 108th Wing to begin its conversion to a classic association with the 305th Air Mobility Wing, to both fly KC-46s.
To memorialize the newest additions to the JB MDL KC-46 fleet, staff from the Boeing office have the flying crew chiefs on each delivery mission to place a plaque on a commemorative board hanging in its office. The plaque contains the tanker tail number, call sign, date of delivery and the names of the crew chiefs.
Master Sgt. Brittany Bounds and Tech. Sgt. Jesse Scala both flying crew chiefs with the 108th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, performed that honor.
Other delivery attendees were:
Col. Eric Guttormsen, commander, 108th Wing
Col. William Liess, commander, 108th Operations Group
Col. Dennis Phile, commander, 108th Maintenance Group
Lt. Col Johann Hintz, commander, 141st ARS
1st Lt. Ashwin Deshpande, KC-46 pilot, 141st ARS
Chief Master Sgt. Aaron Hendrick, chief boom operator, 141st ARS
Senior Airman Sean Callaghan, boom operator, 141st ARS
Per the fiscal 2023 NDAA, JB MDL is slated to receive a total of 24 KC-46s.