From
DSD
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The US Air Force is planning to deploy C-17 Globemaster III to Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, and Elmendorf AFB in Alaska. The plan, briefed to members of Congress, includes adding eight aircraft each to Hickam and Elmendorf to give Pacific Air Forces a new airlift capability.
"Pacific-based C-17s would be able to support strategic airlift requirements anywhere in the Pacific within 24 hours," said Brig. Gen. Paul Fletcher, PACAF director of plans and programmes. "We expect to be able to quickly respond to contingency or humanitarian relief operations anywhere in our area of responsibility much faster than can be done with continental US-based assets or our current tactical
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That's 16 - and just to fill the Northern and Pacific gaps!
Also from
DSD
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Several of the world's air forces will be converting commercial airliners for the aerial tanker role in the coming years. Germany will take delivery of Airbus A310s fitted out in a tanker/transport configuration; Israel Aircraft Industries will convert additional Boeing 707s for that country's aerial refuelling needs;
and the United Kingdom is expected to convert 20 to 30 ex-British Airways Boeing 767s for its Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft requirement. [My italics - see below!]
The Royal Australian Air Force needs to replace five 707 tankers and is closely monitoring the US Air Force's new tanker program. The latter is expected to lease 767s, suitably modified, from Boeing, as replacements for its 450-strong KC-135 contingent. The first 100 767s, at least, will be new production aircraft and are thus not included in the Forecast International calculations.
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So its a fact then..... The US numbers [450 KC135 replacements alone].... *sigh*