The US Air Force needs more tanker aircraft to ensure that America's heavy hitters can take the fight to China should a conflict arise, according to the service's senior leadership.

"The challenge in the Pacific is the tyranny of distance, and that means tanker squadrons are very important," Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson told Congress in October 2018, Voice of America reported, noting that the Air Force plans to increase the number of tanker squadrons from 40 to 54 by 2030.

"When we project into the 2025, 2030 timeframe, our pacing threat, we believe, is China," Wilson further explained to Congress. The tanker plans are part of a larger initiative to boost the overall strength of the Air Force.