PDA: KC-46A Tankers Would Keep Tradeport Vibrant

Since the former Pease Air Force Base closed in 1991, the NH Air National Guard has been one of Pease International Tradeport's most important employers with more than 1,000 NH Air National Guard members, active duty Air Force members and civilian workers.

Pease Development Authority Executive Director David Mullen said that when Pease officials learned from as one of five finalists that could get some of the Air Force's new KC-46A tankers, they were thrilled.

Mullen said that if the Pease Air National Guard Base continues to be one of the tradeport's most consistent employers with a new fleet of planes, that bodes well for the tradeport as well as the Seacoast region.

"They're a good partner to work with," said Mullen. "They are a big employer."

At any given time, he said there are 450- to 600 NH Air National Guard and active duty Air Force members who work there. The NH Air National Guard also provides all of Pease's fire safety and fire rescue services as well as air traffic controllers for the air base and Portsmouth International Airport, he said.

Mullen said that if Pease Air National Guard Base gets some of the new air tankers, it will mean that the air base will continue to be a relevant player for the Air Force and the Department of Defense and could avoid future Base Realignment and Closure rounds.

The military personnel who work at Pease Air National Guard Base and live in several communities throughout the Seacoast region also generate a positive economic ripple effect.

At Tuesday's Portsmouth City Council meeting, NH Air National Guard Lt. Col. Bill Sylla and Lt. Col. Strider Sulley said the NH Air National Guard had a fiscal year 2012 budget of $113 million. They also pointed out that NH Air National Guard members and Air Force members contribute to the local economy by purchasing hotel rooms, office supplies, equipment and meals. Up to $23 million of new construction has also occurred on the base since 2002, including the new NH Air National Guard Headquarters.

Mullen said companies have come and gone at the tradeport, but the NH Air National Guard has always been there. He believes that companies at Pease like having the NH Air National Guard there because it gives the tradeport some important energy and vibrancy. He said the air base and the top-notch runway and airport facilities make it easier to stage annual events such as the Service Credit Union Boston-Portsmouth Air Show, which draws thousands of people.

He said 7,800 people work at the companies located at the tradeport and there are another 3,000 to 3,500 people whose jobs are linked to the companies there, but work outside of the tradeport. Mullen said tradeport employees generate $500 million a year in annual wages. The City of Portsmouth receives $5.3 million in property taxes from the tradeport. Mullen said the State of New Hampshire receives $10 million in rooms and meals tax and business profits tax revenue each year from the tradeport.

Mullen said that if Pease Air National Guard Base is selected for some of the new air tankers that will replace the current fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers, "it will be 2018 before they would get the first aircraft over there."

But he likes their chances because Pease is perfectly set up to accommodate the new aircraft with a 11,321-foot runway and a large jet fuel depot.

In a prepared statement this week, Shaheen also said she is confident the Air Force will choose Pease for the new tankers. “Pease is an optimal location and the 157^th Air Refueling Wing is an ideal unit for the new tanker because the men and women serving at Pease are setting the standard for efficiency and effectiveness. I’m proud to see the Air Force recognizing all that Pease has to offer and I believe Pease remains well-positioned for the new tanker,” she said.

Mullen said that as long as the Pease Air National Guard Base remains intact and Portsmouth area residents see the air tankers flying overhead, the Seacoast region's economy will reap the benefits for many years to come.