New Jersey's Joint Base candidate for new tankers

New Jersey's Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is in the running to receive the Air Force's newest aerial refueling planes.

Members od U.S. audience of armed forces listen to U.S. President Barack Obama speaks December 15, 2014 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey says the state's second-largest employer was among 11 bases listed as candidates on Wednesday.

The Republican says the announcement shows the base has made a positive impression within the Air Force leadership about its capabilities and missions.

The installation has long been a main tanker base in the United States.

The KC-46 tankers will enter the fleet in 2018, replacing the KC-135 Stratotankers that have been in use for about 50 years.

The Joint Base has more than 20 Stratotankers and 32 KC-10s.

The Joint Base recently risked closure until the KC-10 Extenders were kept in the final version of the defense bill.

Filed Under: Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst