Fairchild AFB, WA- Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) toured Fairchild Air Force Base on Tuesday as part of her efforts to make sure the new KC-46A tankers are stationed here.  The tour was led by Col. Paul Guemmer, Commander of the 92^nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild.

“I was delighted to come back to Fairchild and meet with Col. Guemmer, the Fairchild leadership team, and our brave servicemen and women.  We had productive discussions about how we can protect and expand Fairchild’s mission, including making sure the new tankers are stationed here,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers. 

Last month, Rep. McMorris Rodgers hosted a meeting of the “Forward Fairchild” team to initiate a six-month strategy to bring the new tankers to Fairchild.  The Air Force’s Air Mobility Command is in the process of putting together its strategic base criteria for the tankers.  They are expected to submit the criteria for approval in March.  Then, the Air Force will begin an enterprise-wide review of potential base candidates and make recommendations to the Secretary later this spring/early June.  Fairchild is one of the leading candidates to bed the tankers. 

“Whether you’re considering the age of Fairchild’s current tankers or the base’s proximity to Asia, or whether you’re considering the high quality of Fairchild’s leadership or the courage of its service members and their families, no base in the entire country is better qualified to serve as the first home of the new tankers than Fairchild,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers. 

In April, Rep. McMorris Rodgers will lead the “Forward Fairchild” team to the Pentagon to meet with the Secretary of the Air Force and other high-ranking military officials to discuss the importance of Fairchild and the new tankers and possible new missions. 

Fairchild AFB is the largest employer in Eastern Washington.