Delegation asks Pentagon to assign more tankers to Arizona

Arizona congressional delegation members are asking the Pentagon to provide more aerial refueling tankers to a Phoenix-based Air National Guard unit.

A letter signed by Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Martha McSally and eight of Arizona’s nine U.S. House members says the 161st Air Refueling Wing should get additional KC-135s because there’s an increasing demand for aerial refueling in the region.

The letter cites refueling needs of planes either based at installations in metro Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma or assigned to out-of-state units using the Barry M. Goldwater Range.

The letter also says expanding the 161st’s current roster of eight KC-135s would help justify expanding its home base at Goldwater Air National Guard Base at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva did not sign the letter.