Airpower & Community: A Historic Win for Knoxville’s Air Guard

Episode Summary

In this episode of From the Runway Up, Becky and Caitlin sit down with Colonel Ronald Selvidge Jr., Wing Commander of the 134th Air Refueling Wing at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base.

With 35 years of service—beginning as an aircraft maintainer in 1990—Col. Selvidge shares his personal journey through the Tennessee Air National Guard and offers an inside look at the Guard’s dual state and federal mission.

The 134th plays a vital role in rapid global mobility, flying the legendary KC-135 Stratotanker—a fleet that has served since the late 1950s and remains essential to U.S. air operations.

The Big Announcement: KC-46 Pegasus

The episode’s headline moment: The 134th has been selected as the sole winning wing to receive the new KC-46 Pegasus, built by Boeing.

After a 20+ year strategic effort—and competition with 19 other wings nationwide—Knoxville secured this next-generation tanker aircraft.

Why This Matters:

• Ensures long-term mission viability for the base
• Brings brand-new aircraft straight from the assembly line
• Modernizes infrastructure, including runway upgrades
• Strengthens economic and military impact in East Tennessee

Arrival Timeline: Late 2030 / Early 2031

KC-135 vs. KC-46: What’s Changing?

Col. Selvidge explains the key differences:

• Modern Systems & Technology
• Increased fuel capacity and expanded refueling capabilities.
• Dual refueling systems (boom + drogue on every sortie)
• Refuelable tanker capability (tankers refueling tankers!)
• Boom operators transitioning from lying in the tail of the aircraft to using 3D camera systems from the cockpit

While the KC-135 may fly into the 2050s, the 134th will fully transition to the Pegasus platform.

Beyond Tankers: Cyber Mission Growth

The base isn’t just about air refueling. The 134th also houses a growing cyber operations mission, protecting critical infrastructure and military systems from digital threats.

Plans are underway to add:

• A new cyber operations squadron
• Dedicated cyber protection teams

A powerful reminder that today’s defense mission extends far beyond the runway.

Interested in Serving?

The Tennessee Air National Guard offers:

• Tuition assistance and state education benefits<