Air Force secretary’s McConnell AFB visit spotlights innovation, modernization and readiness

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink visited McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, on Aug. 12, spotlighting the installation’s shift from the KC-135 Stratotanker to the KC-46A Pegasus and underscoring how aerial refueling underpins U.S. power projection.

Meink, who began his Air Force career on the KC-135, met with Airmen and leaders to discuss sustaining the service’s refueling edge while modernizing the fleet and maintaining day-to-day readiness. “Air refueling is key to power projection and the backbone of global mobility and global reach for the joint force,” Meink said. “Make no mistake about it: our refueling capability is a distinct military advantage for the United States. We operate around three-quarters of the tanker aircraft in the world, and that gives us the unparalleled capacity to project and sustain airpower, anywhere around the globe.”

As part of the transition, McConnell has started sending some KC-135s to other units while others are being retired, and the KC-46 is taking on a growing share of the mission. The changeover requires crews and maintainers to qualify on a new airframe even as the base continues to generate refueling sorties for global operations.

“The departure of the KC-135s from McConnell will be a bittersweet moment for some, as we tend to get attached to the aircraft we operate,” Meink said.
“This transition is a part of the management and modernization of our current tanker fleet, and the KC-46 will extend our air refueling advantage.
The KC-135s are still going to be in use for many years to come, and we are modernizing the communications systems to ensure their viability into the future.
We plan to leverage the experience, capabilities and advantages of both airframes to continue providing air refueling, airlift, aeromedical and data platforms for the joint force.”

Meink also visited Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research to review digital engineering efforts supporting B-1B Lancer sustainment, including work to replace forward intermediate fuselage sections as the Air Force maintains the legacy bomber while introducing the B-21 Raider. “NIAR made a digital twin of each B-1 in the program to predict structural fatigue, design heavy structural repairs, and to design and fit replacement parts. This innovative use of digital engineering in sustainment work trimmed a 12-month repair process down to under nine months, returning that bomber to our fleet sooner and increasing capability in the process,” Meink said.

Emphasizing the role of industry in speeding capability to the field, Meink added: “Our success now and in the future relies heavily on the strength and commitment of the aerospace defense industrial base,” Meink said. “They help turn innovation into standard practice, and we need their commitment to ensure the weapons systems Airmen and Guardians need are fielded as fast as possible.”

He closed his visit by highlighting the people behind the mission. “Perhaps the most important part of any base visit is the time I spend with our Total Force teammates. Our people are our most decisive advantage, and we are committed to providing them and their families with the tools, resources, and quality of life they deserve,” Meink said.

During stops across the installation, Meink engaged with Airmen, including over lunch, where they discussed artificial intelligence, innovation, the broader perspectives needed for large-scale decision-making, and leadership. For McConnell, the conversations underscored the work ahead as the KC-46 assumes a larger role and the base bids farewell to its last KC-135s.