Pease Air National Guard Base
Pease Air National Guard Base, located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a leading example of the Air Force’s modernization efforts in aerial refueling. It is home to the 157th Air Refueling Wing (157 ARW) of the New Hampshire Air National Guard.1 Historically, the 157 ARW operated the KC-135 Stratotanker for many years. However, Pease was selected as the first Air National Guard unit to transition to the KC-46A Pegasus, the Air Force’s newest and most advanced aerial refueling aircraft. This significant transition began in 2019, and the base now operates a full fleet of KC-46s, making it a critical asset for demonstrating and deploying the capabilities of this next-generation tanker.
The 157th Air Refueling Wing plays a vital role in extending the range and endurance of U.S. military and allied aircraft, ensuring global reach and power projection. Its mission includes air refueling, cargo and personnel transport, and aeromedical evacuation. Beyond the 157 ARW, Pease also hosts the active duty 64th Air Refueling Squadron, which operates in an “associate” unit relationship with the Guard, further enhancing the base’s operational capacity and “Total Force” integration. The base’s strategic location in the Northeast allows it to support deployments to Europe and other global operations. The 157 ARW has been at the forefront of the KC-46’s integration, leading the way in achieving initial operational capability and conducting the first operational deployments of the new tanker.