SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The recent force structure changes have a lot of wings concerned about their future, but at Seymour Johnson the document presented a bit of optimism.

While a small number of C-130 Hercules aircraft from Charlotte and Pope will retire from the inventory, the 916th Air Refueling Wing is hopeful that it could gain new aircraft in the form of the KC-46A.

The changes, which became public after the President's budget announcement in February, reflect that the Air Force will release basing criteria in March and approve candidate installations in June 2012. In December 2012 two bases and two alternates will be named to receive the new tankers in fiscal year 2016.

"This is really exciting news for the tanker community," said Col. Laen August, 916th Air Refueling Wing vice commander. "It's been a long time coming, but there's finally some real movement that will have a huge impact on the future of aerial refueling."

The new tanker, designed by Boeing, is similar to the commercial 767, but will offer a lot more capability in aerial refueling, cargo and passenger transfer and aero-medical evacuation than the current KC-135R Stratotanker.

"The Stratotanker is a great aircraft, but it is also 50 years old," said Col. Caroline Evernham, 916th Operations Group commander. "The 916th is flying nearly 10,000 hours a year due to continuous activations, a new airframe could help ease the burden on our maintainers and provide greater capability."

The force structure document noted that associations would be a key factor for all KC-46 operating locations, ensuring the Guard, Reserve and Active Duty has access to the new technology.

"The 916th was first active associate tanker wing in the Air Force," said August. "Since 2008, we've proven that our total force integration model is achieving a high level of success and mission accomplishment here at Seymour Johnson."

Evernham added in a wing where the Reserve owns the aircraft and the Active Duty helps fly and maintain next to their Reserve counterparts, the relationship has proven to be award winning time and time again.

"We've won awards at both major commands because we work so well together as a team," Evernham said. "What we have in the 916th is amazing. We take a lot of pride in being one of the 'go-to' wings for aerial refueling."

While the Air Force has a lot of factors to look at when deciding who will get the first of 18 KC-46s to roll off the assembly line, the 916th is confident that what it has to offer will be closely considered.

"Our location on the east coast provides us with a lot of space and receivers to complete our mission," said August. "In addition, everyone knows that North Carolina is the most military friendly state in the nation and the Goldsboro community gives us unparalleled support. Seymour Johnson is definitely looking toward a bright future."

Click here for a factsheet on the KC-46A.