U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) announced Wednesday the United States Air Force has selected both McConnell Air Force Base (AFB) in Wichita and Forbes Airfield in Topeka as finalists for the basing of the KC-46A tanker program.

“Strategically positioned in the heart of the United States, the location, capacity and mission of McConnell and Forbes make both bases exceptionally equipped to provide air mobility globally at a moment’s notice, ” Sen. Moran said.

With rising maintenance and support costs, the transition from the 50-year-old KC-135 tankers to KC-46A tankers is the U.S. Air Force’s top acquisition and recapitalization priority.

McConnell AFB is a finalist for the Main Operating Base (MOB#1) and the Formal Training Unit (FTU).  Forbes Airfield is a finalist for the Main Operating Base (MOB#2).