MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed), The U.S. Air Force has selected Key Field Air National Guard Base in Meridian as one of four preferred locations to host the KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling aircraft.
The Mississippi National Guard shared the news Friday in a Facebook post. The Guard called the selection an important milestone for Key Field, the 186th Air Refueling Wing and the Mississippi National Guard.
The Air Force informed Congress of the decision earlier this week. Key Field now joins three other finalists: Bangor Air National Guard Base in Maine, Forbes Field Air National Guard Base in Kansas, and McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Tennessee.
A Long Road to the Final Four
Meridian’s bid has gained ground for years. In 2024, the Air Force named Key Field one of seven candidate bases for the aircraft. The field has now narrowed to four, and the Air Force will conduct its final evaluations before choosing a host base.
What the KC-46 Would Mean for Key Field
The 186th Air Refueling Wing currently flies the KC-135 Stratotanker. The wing provides aerial refueling support for U.S. military operations around the world. Boeing developed the KC-46 to serve as both a refueling tanker and a strategic transport, and the military bought it to replace the aging KC-135 fleet.
According to the Guard, Key Field’s strategic location, infrastructure investments and experienced Airmen make the base a strong contender. Supporters also point to the airfield’s position near refueling tracks over the Southeast and the Gulf of Mexico. The wing currently hosts more than 1,000 Airmen and Air Force personnel. In addition, federal officials have backed more than $15 million in efforts to modernize Key Field’s infrastructure.
Delegation Weighs In
Mississippi’s congressional delegation welcomed the news. In a joint statement, members said Meridian “is the prime candidate to undertake this mission.” This month, the delegation also sent a letter to Air Force Secretary Troy Meink supporting Meridian.
Birthplace of Air Refueling
Meridian holds a special place in aviation history. The airfield carries the name of the Key brothers, and Al Key later served as mayor of Meridian. Their aircraft, the Ole Miss, now hangs in the National Air and Space Museum.
The Air Force has not yet named a final host base. The Mississippi National Guard said it will continue supporting state and federal missions while maintaining readiness for the future.
