Angus King

The Bangor Air National Guard Base is one of four remaining candidates in the country for a new air refueling squadron.

Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King of Maine announced Tuesday that the Bangor base made the latest cut for the new KC-46A refueling squadron. There were initially 14 bases under consideration.

The new squadron would replace the base’s KC-135 Stratotankers, which are currently assigned to the 101st Air Refueling Wing, the senators said. The KC-46A has “greater refueling, cargo and aeromedical evacuation capabilities” than the KC-135, according to the Air Force.

“This announcement from the Air Force is an important step toward equipping the MAINEiacs with the advanced aircraft they need to carry out their critical mission,” Collins and King said in a joint statement. “Bangor’s strategic location and the proven excellence of the 101st Air Refueling Wing make a compelling case for bringing the KC-46 to Maine. We will continue to press for Bangor’s selection as the selection process continues.”

If selected, Bangor would likely see the first aircraft arrive in 2030.

Further site analysis will be conducted on the four bases remaining under consideration. Officials are expected to decide on their preferred site for the squadron next year, the senators said.

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