PORTSMOUTH — Maj. Bryant Burns, a KC-46A tanker pilot stationed at Pease Air National Guard Base, will spend the fall and holiday season overseas helping the U.S. military stand up to a certain global power — Iran.
Burns and fellow members of the 157th Air Refueling Wing are heading to southwest Asia this fall, a deployment expected to last through the end of the year. The mission will see multiple KC-46A aerial refueling tankers from Pease sent abroad and roughly 180 airmen stationed at the base deployed.
“I think the big thing for us when we go out there later this fall … is to deter Iran, counter violent extremist groups and then be that show of power out there when it comes to working at a strategic level (and) competing with our global adversaries,” said Burns, a member of the 157th Air Refueling Wing.
Southwest Asia includes Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan, among other countries. The mission will mark the first time the U.S. Air Force has deployed the new-generation KC-46A Pegasus jets to a combatant command area of responsibility.
In addition to performing aerial refueling for U.S. forces, the tankers will carry cargo and the airmen will conduct aeromedical evacuations. A large portion of the 157th Refueling Wing is slated to be sent out in the phased deployment, as roughly 1,000 people are assigned to the 157th.
'Ready to go' for mission while leaving family behind
Burns and Senior Master Sgt. Brett Peterson, stationed at Pease for years, are both being deployed for the fourth time and together for the second time.
Peterson is a boom operator aboard the KC-46A jets during midair refueling missions. He spoke to the Air Force’s transition away from the former mid-20th century, Eisenhower-era KC-135 Stratotankers to the modern Pegasus planes.
“We are fully operational now,” Peterson said. “We had our training wheels on for a few years where we were just learning the new system, the new jet and everything. Now we’ve been trained, and we’re pretty much ready to go.”
The 157th Air Refueling Wing was the first unit in the nation to receive its full fleet of the KC-46A aircrafts in February 2021. The 157th transitioned to its fully modernized fleet after having the oldest Stratotanker in the entire Air Force, one that was built in 1957, according to Peterson.
Previous story: Final KC-46A tanker delivered to 157th Air Refueling Wing at Pease
The 157th Air Refueling Wing's selection as the first unit to receive the first full fleet of KC-46A tankers was no small recognition. For perspective, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced Friday that Bangor Air National Guard Base is one of seven bases in the country being considered to receive the KC-46A tankers next, a decision that won't be finalized until next summer, pending environmental review.
According to Collins' office, the first KC-46A aircraft wouldn't arrive at the yet-to-be-selected location until 2030.
“We are constantly flying missions, training missions and operational missions, pretty much every day,” Peterson added. “That’s to stay trained, ready and prepared to deploy at any time. Everything you see just doing around here is basically just in preparation to deploy and meet whatever needs of the nation or the state.”
Peterson and Burns will both leave behind families for several months, a requirement of their service that has become the norm in their households. Burns has three young children, and Peterson will be away from his 17-year-old son, as the holiday season nears.
Both knew deployment was bound to happen soon, but were uncertain when that day would arrive.
“They understand that I fly airplanes but I don’t think they understand the gravity of the situation and the line of work we do, the inherent dangers associated with aerial refueling,” Burns said of his children. “I think that stuff will come later as they get older and appreciate and respect what our military does for our country and (how it) helps provide the sovereignty, safety and stability that we need.”
Young brothers in 157th proud to 'be part of something bigger'
Brothers Jack and Nathan Forster are two of the youngest members of the 157th set to deploy. Born in England, the airmen are following in the footsteps of their father, a former C-130 pilot in the Royal Air Force.
Jack Forster, 22, is an avionics technician, while 21-year-old Nathan Forster is an aircraft mechanic crew chief. The brothers are also both studying graphic design online through the University of New Hampshire.
The Forsters are looking forward to putting their training to the test while leaning on their father’s wisdom.
“It’s always been something I’ve wanted to do myself and be part of something bigger, so it really does mean a lot to go and do something like that,” Nathan Forster said.
“It’s definitely going to be paving the way for the following units that are going to deploy the KC-46 (jets) in the years to come,” Jack Forster said. “We hope to set a good example. That’s something that’s really cool to look forward to.”
Hailing from across the pond, the Forsters moved with their family to the U.S. in 2006. Before moving to the Seacoast in 2016, they lived in New York and Wisconsin.
Both have traveled extensively for work through their service and have come to witness several bases up close.
“Maybe I’m a little bit biased but the culture here and the people is really what makes Pease such a great place,” Jack Forster said. “Everyone’s super tight-knit. It really is like a family. I wouldn’t just say that ... it really feels like home here.”
Technological advancements have given comfort to deployed service members during their time away from home, Burns said. When he was deployed back when his son was in elementary school, Peterson remembered calling into his son’s class from southwest Asia to talk to the students about his work.
“Although you’re not necessarily in the room for those milestones, whether it’s birthdays, holidays, it still lessens the blow of being away from family,” Burns said.
Joining members of the 157th Air Refueling Wing in the deployment are members of the active duty’s 64th Air Refueling Squadron, which is assigned to McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas, but is co-located with the 157th Air Refueling Wing at Pease.
A ceremony was held in Hangar 254 at Pease in early September to honor the members prior to their deployment.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican and U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, in addition to U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, all Democrats, were present for the event.
“On behalf of the citizens of New Hampshire, thank you,” Sununu said at the ceremony. “Embrace the adventure and come home safe. We’ll be here waiting for you.”
Lt. Col. James Lux, a KC-46A pilot, has been tapped as the deployment squadron commander.
“The job satisfaction is incredible,” Peterson said. “You’re at the tip of the spear helping everybody out. It’s really cool. It’s a good feeling to be able to do that. It’s awesome.”
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Pease 157th wing, KC-46A tankers deploying to southwest Asia to help 'deter Iran'
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