MacDill Air Force Base is on a short list of bases to be considered for the next base selection round of next generation of air refueling tankers, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced today. If selected, MacDill could become home to 36 new KC-46 tankers in the spring of 2020. A final basing decision could come as early as the end of 2016.

“This announcement shows just how hard MacDill leaders, the bipartisan Tampa Bay congressional delegation and the Tampa Bay community have worked to demonstrate that the base has room to grow as the Air Force modernizes its mission structure,” said U.S. Rep. Castor, who represents MacDill Air Force Base located in Florida’s District 14. “Air mobility and refueling are unsung heroes in national security. They extend the global reach of U.S. air power though global air refueling and airlift operations and is a mission our community embraces.”

Rep. Castor organized the “MacDill Means Mobility” community effort with the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and other local leaders in 2012 to raise awareness with Air Force decision makers about the benefits of adding KC-46 aircraft, attendant jobs and infrastructure to MacDill.  Although MacDill was not awarded the first round of the new KC-46 aircraft, at the time Air Force officials intimated that MacDill was well-positioned to attract KC-135s, and possibly the next generation KC-46 in future decades.  In 2014, Rep. Castor announced that MacDill will receive eight additional KC-135s in FY2018. 

“The Tampa Bay community has shown that MacDill is a natural and strategic location to expand its current mission with the addition of eight KC-135s in the coming years and with being considered in this basing round for new KC-46s.” Rep. Castor said. “I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Tampa Bay congressional delegation and other leaders in the Tampa Bay community to show Air Force officials how well-suited MacDill Air Force Base and our community is for this mission and economic expansion.”

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