WASHINGTON (KCAU) — Iowa senator Joni Ernst questioned the U.S. Air Force on Tuesday about the 185th Air Refueling Wing’s runway.
During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Ernst questioned U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall about the runway project.
Back in 2003, the 185th Air Refueling Wing was converted from F-16 fighters to KC-135 tankers. The Air Force promised the wing that their runway would be upgraded, but that has not happened yet. Now, with the 185th going from KC-135s to KC-46s, the runway is insufficient.
Secretary Kendall told Ernst that architectural engineering activity has begun for three projects at the airfield.
“And I think that Congress has been notified of that. So, we’re moving forward with those upgrades,” Kendall said. “There’s a runway repair project at $45 million, a runway extension at $47 million, and a runway craft parking apron at $45 million. They’re not all the way through the process yet. This is an earlier phase, but the process has begun and we will work with you on that.”
Secretary Kendall said the 185th’s mission remains unchanged. Senator Ernst said she will hold the U.S. Air Force accountable to a timeline for the runway project.
