Shaheen Seeks Pease KC-46A Fleet Update

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) asked U.S. Air Force officials April 10 for an update on the timeline for the development of the new KC-46A air refueling tankers to be stationed at Pease Air National Guard Base.

The new fleet will create 100 jobs and pump millions into the state's economy, while ensuring the 157th Air Refueling Wing at Pease continues to support the Air Force mission and protect national security, Shaheen said.

In the video released by her office, Shaheen expresses concern about the prospect of sequestration-like budget cuts or constraints holding up the KC-46A roll-out, or adding to its overall costs.

"I'm concerned, however, about what our lack of action to address sequestration may be doing to exacerbate the budget challenges that you all face," Shaheen said.

In this video, Shaheen is speaking to Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh III. James is scheduled to visit Pease in May, according to Shaheen's office.