PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), and Representative Annie Kuster (NH-2) hosted Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James at Pease Air National Guard Base in Portsmouth this morning for a facility tour and meetings with the servicemen and women of the New Hampshire Air National Guard’s 157^th Air Refueling Wing.  Last year, after months of advocacy by the New Hampshire congressional delegation, the 157^th Air Refueling Wing at Pease was selected as the first Air National Guard unit to receive the next generation KC-46A air refueling tanker, pending a successful outcome of the environmental impact study.

“We’re pleased that Secretary James had the opportunity today to learn first-hand about the tremendous contributions New Hampshire Air National Guard members are making at Pease, which is an invaluable national security asset and an economic driver for the Seacoast region,” said Shaheen, Ayotte, and Kuster. “Pease’s selection as the first Air National Guard location for the new tanker is a testament to the 157^th Air Refueling Wing’s exceptional performance and Pease’s strategic location.  We are proud of the New Hampshire Air National Guard, and we look forward to continuing to work with Secretary James and the Air Force to bring the KC-46A to Pease.”

The delegation has worked together closely to advocate for Pease and the New Hampshire Air National Guard’s 157^th Air Refueling Wing. For fiscal year 2015, in anticipation of the KC-46A being  based at Pease, the Department of Defense is requesting $41.9 million for KC-46A-related airfield and building improvements.

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