I recently visited Meridian to meet with men and women of the 186th Air Refueling Wing, as well as local community and business leaders. We discussed several issues, but there was one topic at the top of our minds: the U.S. Air Force’s upcoming decision about where to base the new KC-46 aerial refueling aircraf
Mississippi Leads in Mid-air Refueling
For over 30 years, the 186th Air Refueling Wing has been home to a different aircraft, the KC-135. In the aviation lingo of the American military, the letter “K” indicates a tanker, while “C” stands for a cargo transport mission. In other words, KCs are built for a mid-air refueling. This allows our fighters and bombers to take off with smaller fuel stores and larger payloads of cargo.
Meridian boasts excellent maintenance crews, but the KC-135 is aging. The KC-46 model is gradually taking its place. A few years ago, the U.S. Air Force launched a search process to determine which base will host this next-generation aircraft. It was immediately clear to me that Meridian’s Key Field Air National Guard Base should be among the top locations considered.
The KC-46 Belongs in Mississippi
Since then, leaders in Meridian and at the 186th Air Refueling Wing have been highlighting why our state is the right choice. Every Mississippi U.S. Senator and Representative has advocated to military leadership, making sure Meridian gets the consideration it merits. We have already worked to show the new Secretary of the Air Force, Troy Meink, all that Key Field has to offer.
Key Field is strategically located. There are numerous military aviation bases around the country, but Meridian sits near important refueling tracks. The 186th can rapidly service fleets flying along these routes. Mississippi’s vast open spaces enable large-scale exercises.
The crews, staff, and community in Meridian have decades of experience with aerial refueling. The 186th Air Refueling Wing has seen worldwide duty since 1992, supporting military campaigns across the globe. In particular, Key Field is the primary National Guard tanker unit devoted to U.S. military operations in the Middle East – a vital mission for a consequential region of the world.
The base is already well-suited for tankers, and I have successfully secured resources to make it even more prepared. In the last few years, I have supported additional efforts to bring over $15 million to modernize Key Field’s infrastructure. I will continue advocating for these practical site improvements, which will hone the operations of this outstanding Mississippi National Guard unit.
Mississippi Perfected Mid-air Refueling
Mid-air refueling is a nearly miraculous feat: Planes connect to one another while moving at hundreds of miles per hour. Over the last 30 years, Mississippi’s service members have demonstrated the aptitude for this job. They also have a long historical legacy to back it up. Aerial refueling is in Meridian’s blood.
Exactly 90 years ago this month, two brothers from Meridian perfected the method. Fred and Al Key were stunt pilots attempting to break the endurance flight record. They enlisted a local mechanic, A.D. Hunter, who invented a fuel nozzle that significantly reduced the danger of previous mid-air refueling attempts. On June 4, 1935, the Key brothers lifted off in their plane, the Ole Miss. They landed back in Meridian nearly a month later, besting the previous record.
Al Key would eventually become the mayor of Meridian, and the town would name the airfield after the brothers. The U.S. military uses the core of Mr. Hunter’s nozzle design to this day. The Ole Miss hangs on display in the National Air and Space Museum. Meridian is perfectly suited to continue this proud legacy.
This “Wicker Report” column is provided by U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), who is solely responsible for its content.
