Unified response by New Jersey's Congressional delegation on behalf of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) achieves - so far - the kind of results for which they hope. A total of $158,000,000 is set aside for the New Jersey installation in the Fiscal 2018 Military Construction-VA Appropriations bill.

KC-46A Refueling Tanker (Boeing)
KC-46A Refueling Tanker (Boeing)
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Word of the allotment came from the offices of U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker (D-NJ), who specified the amount and succeeded in inserting it into the bill. It has yet to go to a vote of the full Senate.

The House of Representatives defense approprations bill, approved by the Appropriations Committee at the end of June, includes full funding for KC-46A construction, according to the office of shore Representative Tom MacArthur (R-3)

The bill targets $146,500,000 from the Air Force for support of the KC-46A refueling tankers, which will be housed at JBMDL and only one other base, in California. Navy Reserve funding would be the source for $11,500,000 in infrastructure upgrades fo the Marine Aircraft Group 49 (MAG 49).

New Jersey federal lawmakers approached Air Force leaders in January, underscoring JBMDL's value to the nation's defense strategies and to the region's economy. The base was subsequently chosen to be the East Coast hub for the next generation of refuelers.

The Joint Base, straddling Ocean and Burlington Counties, is considered to be New Jersey's second-largest employer, generating an estimated $6,900,000,000 in economic impact annually, and the only installation in America that incorporates Army, Navy and Air Force missions. More than 42,000 service members, civilians and family members are attached to the base, along with at least 88 mission partners.

Home for the 305th Air Mobility Wing (Active) and 514th Air Mobility (Reserve), JBMDL maintains the Air Force Air Mobility Command's air refueling operation as a core mission. Both units employ the KC-10 Extender. The New Jersey Air National Guard 108th Air Wing flies KC-135s.

If the components remain intact, Air Force funding would cover:·

  • $72,000,000 - KC-46A Two-Bat General Purpose MX Hangar
  • $18,000,000 - KC-46A ADAL B2324 Regional MX Training Facility
  • $17,000,000 - KC-46A Alter Apron & Fuel Hydrants
  • $9,000,000 - KC-46A Alter Bldgs. For Ops and TFI AMU-AMXS
  • $6,900,000 - KC-46A ADAL B1816 For Supply
  • $6,100,000 - KC-46A ADAL B2319 For Boom Operator Trainer
  • $5,800,000 - KC-46A Alter Facilities for Maintenance
  • $4,100,000 - KC-46A Aerospace Ground Equipment Storage
  • $3,300,000 - KC-46A ADAL B3209 For Fuselage Trainer
  • $2,300,000 - KC-46A Add To B1837 For Body Tanks Storage
  • $2,000,000 - KC-46A ADAL B1749 For ATGL & LST Servicing

Navy Reserve funds for MAG 49 would cover an expanded airfield parking apron and taxiway for Marine Reserve aircraft, and relocation of several buildings now standing where the expansion would take place.

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