VIDEO: Sen. Moran Questions National Guard Leadership on KC-135 Tanker Fleet Modernization

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) - a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense - during a committee hearing this week questioned Chief of the National Guard Bureau General Steven Nordhaus regarding the need to update and modernize the aging fleet of KC-135 refueling tankers to bolster U.S. military readiness.

"Our KC-135s are relied on significantly, but they are an aging fleet," said Sen. Moran. "Modernization of that force needs to take place quickly, and I'm asking you, General Nordhaus, about recapitalization plans, particularly for our Air Guard, National Guard refueling wings."

"As we look at the National Guard, we're in the fight every day," responded Gen. Nordhaus. "When we look at what we're doing over in Epic Fury, we're 30 percent of the operational Air Force, and we're over 30 percent of that air power over in Epic Fury right now. So, critical capability like you said that we need for our nation and for our joint force. We know that we have MOB [Main Operating Base] 9 getting ready to go out for all the KC-135 wings to be able to apply for the next KC-46 fielding."

"As you know that process is run through the Air Force corporate process," continued Gen. Nordhaus. "It's transparent, repeatable and defendable, and we'll make sure that all wings compete fairly for that, and we look forward to MOB 9 being pushed out when those planes come on board."

Click HERE to Watch Sen. Moran's Full Questioning

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