The 126th Air Refueling Wing includes 11 KC-135 Stratotanker airplanes that fuel up other aircraft such as fighter jets in mid-air.   The wing is leaving its home of 44 years at Chicago O'Hare International Airport to make room for more commercial development.   The relocation to Scott SFB also aims to shore up both the air base and the wing's chances that they won't lose out in future military restructuring, such as base closures.

"Certainly all of us in this area are concerned about the viability of Scott Air Force Base," said state Sen. Frank Watson, R-Greenville.   "We've read recently already where the Secretary of Defense is talking about another round of possible closures, so it's important that the usage of the base continue, and the 126th is obviously going to help us in that regard."

The wing is expected to move to the base in July 1999, bringing 300 full-time and 900 part-time Air National Guard jobs to Scott AFB and prompting more than $80 million in construction projects to house the wing and its operations, said Captain Tom Stevens.   It's also expected to pump $39 million into the local economy.

We have been working for this day for a number of months," said U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville.   "We look forward to working with you."

Keistler said the 126th Air Refueling Wing is ready for the change.   "The 126th has been granted this wonderful opportunity to build this great facility at Scott-MidAmerica Airport and rebuild our beloved wing back into the great combat organization of citizen soldiers that's beer serving our country for a long time," Keistler said.

St. Clair County Board Chairman John Baricevic cited the wing's relocation as a positive move for Scott AFB's runway neighbor.   "A lot of people would suggest that MidAmerica Airport doesn't have any tenants," Baricevic said.   "In fact, the 126th is our first tenant."

The 126th Air Refueling Wing has already opened up a recruiting office in the Magna Bank building at 400 East Highway 50 in O'Fallon.