Scott Air Force Base wing needs new hangar for modern refueling jet

Scott Air Force Base could begin construction of a new hangar in late 2027 if Congress approves $79 million included in the Senate’s version of the annual defense budget.

The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the funding last month as part of its proposal for the National Defense Authorization Act. The money would be used to complete the design and construction of a replacement hangar used by 126th Air Refueling Wing.

The Illinois Air National Guard wing operates the nine KC-135 refueling tankers at the Metro East air base. Replacing the wing’s current maintenance hangar would drastically improve its chances of transitioning to the next generation of refuelers, the KC-46, said Col. Nicolas Henschel, the wing’s commander.

“If we were able to get this hangar built, that would improve our chances to get the new KC-46 and then kind of secure the future of our wing for another 60 years,” Henschel said.

As the military transitions away from the KC-135, which has been in service for more than 60 years, the Air Force will select a wing to receive the KC-46, a bigger plane, partly based on the size of its hangars and other facilities, Henschel said.

The KC-135 is based on the airframe of Boeing’s 707 and has a wingspan of 130 feet. The newer KC-46 is based on Boeing’s 767, and its wingspan totals 156 feet.

The current hangar at Scott is also aging. It was built in 1955 and was originally used by the Illinois Army National Guard for helicopters.