[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 133 (Friday, August 1, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S5253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 3491. Mrs. BLACKBURN submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed by her to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for 
fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, 
for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department 
of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal 
year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as 
follows:

       At the appropriate place in subtitle D of title I, insert 
     the following:

     SEC. __. REPORT ON RECAPITALIZATION PLAN FOR KC-135 AIR 
                   REFUELING WINGS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force, in 
     consultation with the Director of the Air National Guard, 
     shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report 
     on the Department of the Air Force's plan to recapitalize KC-
     135 air refueling wings that will not receive the KC-46A 
     Pegasus aircraft.
       (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
     include the following:
       (1) A comprehensive list of all active duty, Air National 
     Guard, and Air Force Reserve KC-135 units, including the 
     current mission, aircraft inventory, and assigned personnel 
     levels for each unit.
       (2) A timeline and criteria for the recapitalization of 
     existing KC-135 aircraft, including the prioritization 
     process for KC-46A deliveries and the rationale for unit 
     selection.
       (3) An assessment of the long-term plan for units not 
     scheduled to receive KC-46A aircraft, including any planned 
     deactivations, mission conversions, or sustainment of legacy 
     KC-135 fleets.
       (4) An evaluation of the impact of recapitalization 
     decisions on total force air refueling capability, including 
     operational risk and geographic coverage for the United 
     States Indo-Pacific Command, the United States European 
     Command, and other combatant commands.
       (5) A plan to ensure equitable transition for Air National 
     Guard units, including mitigation measures for wings that 
     will continue operating legacy KC-135 aircraft.
       (6) Recommendations for any additional resources, 
     authorities, or legislative actions needed to support the 
     recapitalization plan and ensure continuity of air refueling 
     operations.
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