McConnell Air Force Base
McConnell Air Force Base, located southeast of Wichita, Kansas, is a cornerstone of the Air Force’s global aerial refueling capability and a significant player in the ongoing modernization of the tanker fleet. It is home to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing (22 ARW), an Air Mobility Command (AMC) unit that historically operated a large fleet of KC-135R Stratotankers. However, McConnell has taken on an even more pivotal role as one of the very first bases to receive the KC-46A Pegasus, the Air Force’s newest aerial refueling aircraft. This makes McConnell a unique base, simultaneously operating both the aging but still essential KC-135s and the cutting-edge KC-46s, thereby setting the standards for their integration and future operations.
Beyond the host 22nd ARW, McConnell also hosts significant tenant units, contributing to its “Total Force” concept. The 931st Air Refueling Wing (931 ARW), an Air Force Reserve Command unit, is an active associate unit that flies and maintains both KC-135s and KC-46s alongside their active duty counterparts.Additionally, the 184th Wing (184 W) of the Kansas Air National Guard is based at McConnell, though its primary mission has shifted from air refueling to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and cyberspace operations, leveraging its deep experience in air operations for new domains. This blend of active duty, reserve, and guard units, combined with the presence of both current and future tanker platforms, solidifies McConnell’s critical role in ensuring the Air Force’s ability to project power globally.