Air Force sends more refueling planes to Alaska amid rising tensions

In recent developments regarding military operations in the United States, the Air Force has agreed to assign four additional KC-135 Stratotankers to Eielson Air Force Base, located near Fairbanks, Alaska. This decision was announced by U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, approximately four years after the initial discussions began regarding the relocation of these refueling aircraft. While the additional personnel, numbering around 220, have also been designated to maintain the aircraft, a definitive timeline for their arrival is still not established. Originally, these tankers were anticipated to reach Eielson by 2023, but various delays have hindered that timeline. Rick Kendall, a key military official, has indicated the recent decision reinforces the commitment to bolster aerial refueling capabilities in Alaska, especially since Alaska's current fleet faces increasing strain due to a growing number of advanced fighter jets, including the F-35s. Alan Brown, the communications director for the Alaska National Guard, expressed enthusiasm for the new addition, emphasizing its importance in terms of military readiness in the Arctic and Pacific regions, which are strategically vital. Aerial refueling operations are crucial for extending the operational range of the U.S. military’s fleet, allowing planes to refuel during mid-flight. Despite the push for modernization, the Air Force primarily relies on the older KC-135 model, which was largely built in the 1960s and has undergone various upgrades over the years. Currently, approximately 400 KC-135s are in service, and with the woes surrounding the newer KC-46 Pegasus model—plagued by issues including cost overruns and delayed delivery—these aging tankers continue to play a pivotal role in maintaining air power across the globe. Senator Sullivan has been actively urging the Air Force to fulfill its commitment made in 2021 to redistribute four KC-135 tankers to the Eielson base, and with this recent development, it appears that his efforts have finally borne fruit. It was communicated that one of the additional Stratotankers has already arrived, with three more expected to follow. Once the complete addition is realized, the number of Stratotankers stationed in Alaska will increase to twelve, reinforcing the importance of this area for future military operations.