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Master Sgt. Jamie Bethune tows a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing, on the ramp in Sioux City, Iowa, Nov. 22, 2022. The unit’s aircraft returned to Sioux City this week after operating from Topeka, Kansas, during a runway construction project.

KC-135 operations return to Sioux City after summer absence

Iowa Air National Guard KC-135 aircraft from the 185th Air Refueling Wing were able return to their homebase this week following the completion of a substantial runway improvement project at the Sioux City airport. The return of the aircraft brings a long-awaited return to normal operations for air guard members who have had a long commute over the past several months. The unit had been operating at bases in Topeka, Kan. and later in Sioux Falls, S.D. as construction was underway since last April. During their time away, guard members continued to provide air refueling support for domestic operations while operating remotely. While there was little disruption in commercial air traffic in Sioux City, the construction project closed the longer of two available runways used by the unit’s large KC-135 aircraft. The project had construction crews replace overruns on both ends of the runway. They also refurbished wide shoulders on both sides of the 9000-foot runway. Runway lights were also replaced with newer LED lighting. The project also involved extensive crack and spall repair, with thousands of damaged areas restored. The return of the aircraft to Sioux City is just in time as the unit is immediately rolling into a major aircraft generation exercise that is part of regular operational requirements. The welcome sound of jets on the ramp in Sioux City had crew chiefs scrambling to get them settled back at home just before the Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend. With the jets safely back, their return should allow everyone involved to enjoy some time with family and maybe a little football during the weekend break. Lower Thirds: Lieutenant Col. Ben Young 185th ARW pilot

KC-135 Operations Resume at Reopened Sioux City Runway

Published Nov. 23, 2022
By Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot,
185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Military aircraft operations returned to the Sioux City airport this week with the completion of a substantial runway improvement project.

While the construction was underway, Iowa Air National Guard members of the 185th Air Refueling Wing and some of the unit’s KC-135 Stratotankers departed as part of an aviation deployment package in late April.

After their return in midsummer, the deployed jets joined the rest of the unit’s aircraft at ANG bases in Topeka, Kansas, and later, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as construction continued. During their time away, Iowa Air Guard members continued to provide air refueling support for domestic operations while operating remotely.

The return of the aircraft brings a much-anticipated return to “normal” for aircraft maintainers and aircrew who have had a hefty commute the past several months.

Master Sgt. Mike Caswell, 185th ARW flight chief, said he made many trips from Sioux City to Topeka. During the drive, Caswell said he battled run-ins with deer, flat tires and other hazards on the weekly four-hour road trip.

“We can’t wait to have them back,” Caswell said, “It has been a long summer. We are so glad to have them home!”

While there was minimal disruption of commercial air traffic in Sioux City, the extensive construction closed the longer of the two runways at the airport, which the big KC-135 aircraft use.

Airport officials said construction crews replaced 200 feet of overrun on both ends of the 9,000-foot runway and 20-foot-wide shoulders on both sides.

The workers also replaced runway lighting with LED lighting that should improve “visual flying” as aircraft approach the runway.

Concrete was also repaired around one of the arresting cables. The runway has two cables as a precaution for aircraft emergencies involving military fighter jets.

The project also involved extensive crack and spall repair, with thousands of damaged areas mended.

The return of the aircraft to Sioux City comes none too soon, as the unit must meet readiness and mobility requirements.

The refueling wing is immediately rolling into a major aircraft generation exercise as part of regular operational requirements and the air refueling mission.