AMC to relocate KC-135 simulator to Pittsburgh
By Air Mobility Command Public Affairs / Published May 01, 2015
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) --
As Air Mobility Command fields the KC-46A Pegasus, displaced KC-135 Stratotanker simulators are being designated for relocation to improve efficiency and effectiveness across the total force mobility enterprise by maximizing flying hour cost avoidance through improved simulator access.
AMC previously announced a flight simulator would be moved from McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, to the formal training unit at Altus AFB, Oklahoma.
The next KC-135 simulator now identified for relocation is an operational flight trainer simulator slated to transfer from Pease Air National Guard Base, New Hampshire, to Pittsburgh ANGB, Pennsylvania, in March 2016.
Last year, AMC and the Air National Guard worked together to identify a total of four KC-135 pilot flight simulators to eventually be relocated as a result of KC-46A allocations to McConnell AFB and Pease ANGB.
The KC-46A Pegasus is the first of a three-phase effort to replace the Air Force tanker fleet.
"Bringing the KC-46A online remains one of the Air Force's top three acquisition priorities, and is a critical step in recapitalizing the tanker fleet and maintaining our unrivaled global reach capabilities," said Maj. Gen. Michael S. Stough, the director of Strategic Plans, Requirements and Programs at Headquarters AMC. "However, the KC-135 will remain the backbone of our tanker fleet during this recapitalization process.
"As we work with our Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command partners to select new locations of the KC-135 simulators, our goal is to select the most efficient and effective locations to best support total force training," Stough said.
AMC operates 19 KC-135 pilot flight simulators and nine Boom Operator Weapons System Trainers at 13 regional sites worldwide to support 42 KC-135 units.