McConnell holds ribbon cutting for $267 million in KC-46A facilities

Published Oct. 18, 2017
The view from the inside of the largest new hangar for the KC-46A Pegasus at McConnell Air Force Base, near Wichita, Kansas, for the ribbon cutting event October 16, 2017.

The view from the inside of the largest new hangar for the KC-46A Pegasus at McConnell Air Force Base, near Wichita, Kansas, for the ribbon cutting event October 16, 2017.

The senior personnel cut the ribbon at the ceremony marking the completion of the KC-46A Pegasus facilities completion.

Senior personnel cut the ribbon at the ceremony marking the completion of the KC-46A Pegasus facilities.

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. — McConnell held a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. to signify completing the preparation for the arrival of the KC-46A Pegasus.

After three years, 16 projects, more than 23 million pounds of steel and $267 million, McConnell stands ready to accept the KC-46A and pave the way for the future of air refueling. The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, oversaw the construction and contracting.

“Ahead of requirements and within budget. It doesn’t get better than that,” said Dr. James Hearn, director of regional business for the Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Division.

The three large hangars will provide shelter for three, two or one KC-46A at a time. Some additional work on the maintenance shop will be completed well before the new tankers arrive at McConnell, scheduled for the spring of 2018.

“The Kansas City District design staff and the McConnell Resident Office have worked tirelessly to complete this project on time and under budget and they were able to provide high quality facilities for the Air Force,” said Ben Davis, project manager.

Since 2014, the construction projects have brought in many out-of-town subcontractors who required hotel and housing rentals, food, fuel, internet and construction material, all of which were supported by the local communities. Additionally, the hangars were built with Kansas steel.

Distinguished visitors included U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, of Kansas, Brig. Gen. Steven Bleymaier, Headquarters, Air Mobility Command, director of Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, in addition to Hearn.

“As a member of the U.S. Senate we see those things so rarely [completion on time and on budget] it is really a special day, so thank you to all who were in the process of preparing for this day,” said Moran.

The Kansas City District is a team of dedicated professionals with a strong heritage and proven results who, in collaboration with our partners, proudly serve in the Heartland providing leadership, technical excellence, and innovative solutions to the nation's most complex problems.


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Release no. 17-046