(Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force)
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Air Force has selected both McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita and Forbes Airfield in Topeka as finalists for basing air refueling tankers. U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts said Wednesday that both installations are finalists for the main operating base. McConnell is also a finalist to house the formal training unit. Starting in 2017, the base chosen as the main operating base will support 36 active-duty KC-46A tankers. The two Republican senators say the decision shows the Air Force recognizes the critical roleKansas plays in national security and global air mobility.