Public hearing for KC-46 beddown announced Published Nov. 14, 2013 By 011113 GRAND FORKS AIR FOCE BASE, N.D. -- The U.S. Air Force is inviting the general public to review the Draft Environmental Impact Analysis (EIS) and attend public hearings for the proposed beddown of KC-46 tanker aircraft for the Formal Training Unit (FTU) and the First Main Operating Base (MOB 1), at existing active duty Air Force Bases (AFBs) within the continental United States. The Preferred Alternative for the FTU is Altus AFB in Oklahoma. The Preferred Alternative for the MOB 1 is McConnell AFB in Kansas. McConnell AFB was also evaluated as an alternative for the FTU scenario and Altus, Fairchild, and Grand Forks AFBs were evaluated as alternatives for the MOB 1 scenario. No base would be selected to host both the FTU and MOB 1 scenarios. Along with the No Action Alternative, these alternatives were fully evaluated in the Draft EIS. The FTU squadron will consist of up to eight KC-46A aircraft with a mission to train personnel to safely and effectively fly and operate the KC-46A aircraft. The MOB 1 will consist of 36 KC-46A aircraft with a mission to provide worldwide refueling, cargo, or aeromedical evacuation support. The KC-46A mission could be an additive or replacement mission depending on where the aircraft is located. In addition, the USAF would use auxiliary airfields in the vicinity of the bases proposed for the FTU scenario. To learn more, please visit www.KC-46A-beddown.com or attend a public hearing Nov. 18, 2013, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Alerus Center's Hawk Meeting Room. (1200 42nd Street South, Grand Forks, N.D., 58201.) The public hearing venue will open at 5 p.m. At approximately 5:30 p.m. the hearing will be called to order followed by a USAF presentation. Formal public testimony will start at approximately 6:15 p.m. All members of the public are invited.