KC-46 depot to affect generations

Published Feb. 13, 2015
By John Parker
Staff Writer

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Community dignitaries and senior military officials spoke in unison here Feb. 4, lauding the acquisition of the land needed to house the incoming KC-46A Pegasus depot maintenance mission as an historic milestone for both the Air Force and Oklahoma.

Their comments came during a special media event held here to recognize the community-supported purchase of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railyard and the recent transfer of title for Bldg. 9001 from Oklahoma County to the Air Force.

Acquisition of the 158-acre railyard on the west side of the base represents a gigantic first step toward establishing the KC-46A Pegasus Maintenance Campus and the launch of a multi-generational new workload for Tinker Air Force Base.

"I'm hoping that you can feel the energy, the magic in the air, that's taking place today as this (real estate) closing represents the start of a journey that's going to take generations to unfold," said Lt. Gen. Bruce Litchfield, Air Force Sustainment Center commander.

"And for all intents and purposes, it will lay the foundation for what Tinker will be 50 years from now. That's how important what we're going through today is for Tinker, Oklahoma and our nation."

The railyard will be transformed into the maintenance repair and overhaul home for the KC-46A Pegasus, America's next-generation aerial refueler. The Pegasus is being built from the Boeing 767 airframe and will eventually replace the venerable KC-135 Stratotanker.

Citing Tinker as one of the main pillars of the Oklahoma economy, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin stressed the acquisition wouldn't have been possible without the tireless efforts from the community and military.

"This wouldn't have been possible without a large group of people that never gave up," Governor Fallin said. "I can remember coming through here (Bldg 9001) when cars were being produced and when it closed. But here we are today with a great new vision and a bigger purpose for our nation."

The timing of the official deed transfer couldn't have been better. Ms. Kathleen Ferguson, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy, announced that the Air Force had closed on the railyard property just one hour earlier.

Ms. Ferguson was a key Air Force official involved in the land-purchase process that began in March 2012. The complex negotiations and financing ended with contributions from the Air Force ($8 million), the city of Oklahoma City ($23.5 million) and Oklahoma County ($12.5 million).

In addition to those contributors, she praised cooperation among myriad partners that included the Department of Justice, Oklahoma legislators who amended the state's Quality Jobs Act, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Oklahoma Industries Authority, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and many others for getting the job done.

"From donating the original land for the base (in 1941), to the acquisition, lease and transfer of the building we are in now and the closing on this land as the future home of KC-46 maintenance, this special partnership continues to be the gold standard on how military installations and communities can work together to ensure the nation has the airpower it needs to fly, fight and win -- both today and in the future," Ms. Ferguson said.

David Rainbolt, chairman of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, returned the compliment to Air Force officials.

"I was amazed and extraordinarily proud of the entrepreneurial spirit that the Air Force showed in executing this strategic negotiation - a job well done," Mr. Rainbolt said.
Oklahoma City Vice Mayor Meg Salyer said she was thrilled to know that "50 years from now the same quality of men and women will be out here doing the same work to keep our country safe. Thank you so much."

Ms. Salyer added, "Tinker Air Force Base is vitally important to our city. It's the city's largest employer with over 26,000 folks out here on a day-to-day basis and it means so much to Oklahoma City."

Brian Maughan, chairman of the Oklahoma County Board of Commissioners, noted the decades-long relationship between Tinker and county residents who have committed tens of millions of dollars of tax money to support the base.

"Make no mistake about it, we are here to do whatever it takes from here on out, and if there are other things to come I hope that the county is at least among the very first that Tinker and chamber officials come to and say this is something we need, because we definitely recognize it as the crown jewel of Oklahoma County," the chairman said.

Speaking to a large group of area media, Col. Christopher Azzano, 72nd Air Base Wing and Tinker installation commander, said the savings from building the KC-46A depot at Tinker will be substantial.

"We know from years of doing maintenance work with the KC-135 that there are certain efficiences to be gained from having a structured process and a structured order and flow at our facilities so that aircraft progress quickly and efficiently through depot maintenance," the colonel said.

The new depot will be tailor-built for efficiency, from the latest industrial processes to ease of access to runways.

"A modern depot maintenance facility enables us to save the American taxpayer, over the life cycle of the KC-46, between $400 million to $500 million. That's a huge win for the Air Force and for our national defense during challenging fiscal times," Colonel Azzano said.

General Litchfield said the state-of-the-art depot will be a crucial asset to the Air Force's ability to project power worldwide when needed. Its success will rely the most, however, on Tinker's Oklahoma workforce.

"We draw folks from over 40 counties in the greater Oklahoma City area, 26,000 that come to Tinker and the 8,000 that work in our maintenance operations," the general said. "Without those trained, skilled and dedicated professionals, we would in no way be able to produce what we do.

"We really are producing based on Oklahomans doing what they do best - hard work, dedication and a highly skilled and patriotic workforce unlike any that I have ever seen before," the general said.

Brig. Gen. Gene Kirkland, commander of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, told the press the new depot will be "good for Oklahoma, good for our workforce and it's very good for our nation's defense."

"This property will enable us to host all KC-46A depot operations within a single campus environment," said the general. "This will allow us to grow depot support of the new tanker fleet while continuing to fully support maintenance on the KC-135 until it is phased out."

Mr. Rainbolt thanked Tinker military members, civilian employees and Airmen who will fly and operate the KC-46A fleet.

"This is a victory to be celebrated," the chairman said. "There's no better evidence of the collaborative spirit that drives our city than what you are witnessing right now. Generations of Oklahomans will long benefit from the work you've done."