March Air Reserve Base broke ground on the construction of a new KC-46 Pegasus maintenance and fuel hangar which is expected to take about three years.
The $133 million military construction project will modernize infrastructure and support long-term mission readiness for the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, according to Senior Master Sgt. Wendy Day.
The groundbreaking ceremony was hosted on Tuesday by Lt. Col. Nate Chal from the KC-46 Program Integration Office.
“It has been almost half a century since a new tanker mission came to March,” Chal said. “This hangar represents an infrastructure investment not just for today, but for the next half century of aerial-refueling operations.”
The project includes construction of a state-of-the-art two-bay hangar designed to support the KC-46A Pegasus, the newest multi-mission aerial refueling aircraft.
The ceremony also emphasized on the role of civic partnerships in shaping the future of MARB.
“March Air Reserve Base has been a cornerstone of this community and a key economic contributor for more than a century,” said Jamil Dada, honorary wing commander for MARB. “After more than 30 years of supporting the base, I am proud to continue advocating for its mission, it’s people and our local community.”
The project’s prime contractor is Harper Construction. Ron Harper, the founder and chairman of the construction company is also a former Air National Guardsman and served at MARB as a traditional weekend warrior in the early 1960s.
“I spent time on this base years ago, and to return now and be part of something that adds to its history is something I’m personally proud of,” said Harper. “Our company has been in business for 51 years, and safety has always been our top priority. We want to do good work, deliver a quality product and, most importantly, make sure everyone goes home safe.”
One of the bays in the hangar will support aircraft maintenance, while the other will be dedicated to fuel system maintenance, according to officials.
The facility will also feature modern fire-suppression systems, fall protection, utilities, communications infrastructure and environmental controls.