KC-135 Aircrew Vital Part of Mission Success

Defend America News ^ | Tech. Sgt. Jason Smith

[SandRat]

U.S. Air Force Capt. Erick Turasz, 28th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron aircraft commander, taxis a KC-135 behind a U.S. Air Force B-1B before take off on a refueling mission, June 16, 2006. Turasz is deployed from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jason Smith
KC-135 Aircrew Vital Part of Mission Success
The mission premise seems simple: refuel B-1s enroute to and returning from a mission; in reality, flying a 1950s-era KC-135 to refuel an aircraft it wasn’t designed to refuel is never an easy task.
By U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jason Smith 40th Air Expeditionary Group OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, June 28, 2006 — The U.S. Air Force B-1Bs that drop the bombs on the targets can’t reach those targets without the support of the KC-135s and KC-10s that refuel them. KC-135 aircraft deployed to the 28th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron have the unique mission of refueling B-1Bs that, like the KC-135s, take off and land at the 40th Air Expeditionary Group. The general premise of the missions seems simple: refuel the B-1s enroute to, and on the way back from, the area of responsibility.  In reality, flying a 1950s-era gas station miles in the air over uninhabited areas to refuel an aircraft the KC-135 wasn’t designed to refuel is never an easy task. “There are times when the weather is bad, but the B-1s need us to get there and get home. We weigh our options and find a way to work around the conditions.” U.S. Air Force Capt. Erick Turasz A typical mission starts with the crew arriving about two hours prior to takeoff.  “We have a lot of paperwork to go through before we go to the aircraft,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Erick Turasz, 28th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron aircraft commander.  “We check the weather, finalize our plans, and receive briefings and equipment.” Some of the tasks required before the crew boards the aircraft are classified. Turasz and his squadron crew -- 1st Lt. Jennifer Phillips, co-pilot; Staff Sgt Ron McKinney, boom operator; and Senior Airman Michael Fagan, boom operator, receive an intelligence briefing and review documents related to the mission.  Even before boarding the aircraft, some missions are already more complex than others.  For example, the weather doesn’t always cooperate with flying plans. “We have to go,” said Turasz.  “There are times when the weather is bad, but the B-1s need us to get there and get home.  We weigh our options and find a way to work around the conditions.” After the pre-flight items are completed at the squadron, the crew is shuttled to the airfield, where maintenance personnel from the 28 Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron are already on scene preparing the aircraft.  The aircrew immediately gets to work; each doing numerous checks of particular items to make sure the plane is ready for its mission. Once all the pre-flight work is done, the crew times their departure with the B-1 they will be refueling. Mission lengths vary depending on whether the B-1 to be refueled is going to, or coming from, the area of responsibility.  Sometimes, the mission might change altogether to support other coalition aircraft as needed. Unlike refueling missions at home, deployed KC-135 crews stay together for the duration of the deployment.  McKinney, who is deployed from MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, said he likes flying with the same people. “I prefer flying with the same crew,” said McKinney.  “You get to know each other pretty well, and you know what to expect.” Some crews, like Turasz’s, may have never met until this deployment.  Phillips, for example, is a reservist from Portland, Oregon.  She volunteered for this rotation. “MacDill [Air Force Base] was fortunate to have Lieutenant Jennifer Phillips volunteer to help augment us during this deployment,” said Turasz.  “Having Jennifer step up has allowed someone to stay home or maybe deploy to another location being supported by MacDill [Air Force Base].  Jennifer benefits by gaining flying experience in a flexible, fast pace environment.  She is doing a great job, and we are lucky to have her on our team.” In the air, everything this diverse crew does is based on timing. Most refueling takes place over uncontrolled airspace. A U.S. Air Force B-1B prepares to refuel from a KC-135 over the area of responsibility, June 16, 2006. Both aircraft are deployed to the 40th Air Expeditionary Group. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jason Smith	U.S. Air Force Capt. Erick Turasz, 28th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron aircraft commander, performs exterior aircraft checks prior to a refueling mission, June 16, 2006. Turasz is deployed from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jason Smith There are no towers to monitor airspace or other aircraft.  In addition to focusing on getting where they need to be on time, the KC-135 crew has to stay poised for other aircraft, civilian and military. Once the crew makes contact with the B-1, it isn’t long before McKinney is lying on his stomach in the rear of the aircraft.  The boom compartment on the KC-135 is relatively small.  The boom operator lies on a platform while controlling the arm that extends from the KC-135 to the aircraft needing fuel. McKinney waits in the boom compartment as the small dot behind the KC-135 quickly closes in.  In a matter of a minute, the small dot in the sky is clearly visible as a huge B-1.  The B-1 is so close to the KC-135 that the B-1 pilot’s mask and visor can be seen clearly.  McKinney extends the boom arm and inserts it in the receiver’s receptacle located on the nose of the B-1. Within minutes, the KC-135 transfers thousands of gallons of fuel to the B-1.  The B-1 then drops below the KC-135, and as quickly as it approached, disappears to the front of the KC-135.  For casual observers, the refueling part of the mission is the most intense.  According to McKinney, it’s all in a day’s work.  He’s calm and collected throughout the whole process. “Refueling heavier aircraft, like C-5s and C-17s, is more difficult than refueling fighter aircraft; mainly due to the size difference,” said McKinney. In addition to running the boom, McKinney is responsible for other important tasks during a typical mission. “Some other in-flight duties include safety and security of the passengers and cargo, if any are on board,” said McKinney.  “In a nutshell, the boom operator is responsible for everything behind the cockpit.” Turasz echoes McKinney's assessment of the variety of responsibilities the enlisted boom operators are charged with. “Other jets have enlisted aircrew members, but they usually have more than one,” said Turasz.  “Therefore, a single boom operator has multiple responsibilities and roles.  They are, foremost, air refueling specialists. “Boom operators also have to be skilled in the secondary missions of the tanker such as cargo delivery, aeromedical evacuations and troop airlift,” he continued.  “Boom operators play a critical role directly in the cockpit by backing up the pilots when airborne and aiding during in-flight emergencies.” Although the KC-135, originally delivered in 1956, is aging, Turasz said he is happy to be flying such a mission-vital machine. “I feel that it has made me a better pilot, and my flying career has benefited from it,” said Turasz.  “The KC-135 community does an excellent job in taking care of its people and is a very tight-knit group.  There is mutual respect between officers and enlisted aircrew.  Both sides realize that without the other, the mission would be impossible to complete.” The KC-135 has supported missions from the Cold War through Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.  Upgrades have allowed it to continue to deliver fuel more efficiently than in its early years. “Hopefully in 20 years there will be a new aircraft to replace the tanker,” said Turasz. For now, Turasz said the aircraft is doing a great job of completing the mission.  Air refueling is important in today’s war environment and will continue to be in the future. Following the refueling, the crew heads back to the 40th Air Expeditionary Group.  The periods before and after the actual refueling may be long, but many times factors such as weather cause the crew to work very hard to get home. Turasz said every KC-135 needs to return to station ready to be manned by other crews to support coalition aircraft.  Just as the aircraft remains ready to do whatever it is called to do, so does Turasz and his crew.

[SandRat]

KC-135 - Fill 'er up!

[garbageseeker]

It is an awesome experience to be on a C-130. When I was in the Civil Air Patrol, our unit had a chance to be on board a C-130 in flight. We had to chance to "fly" the plane and it is an experience that I will never forget.

[marmar]

I was TDY in Turkey in the early 90s and I got ride in 2 refueling missions. I have some great pics, I've worked the B1Bs, F16s, and A10s, I love the A10s the best. Now I am a USAF medic reserve.

[garbageseeker]

I will never forget my days in the CAP and my ride in the C-130. I had already my sergeant stripes in those days. I would be in Air Force now, but circumstances changed .

[middie]

Having spent many, many both pleasant and terror-filled minutes behind or off the wing-tip probe of tanking operations I can assure everyone that tactical and strategic operators, every mother's son of them, would not allow any tanker crew member to pay for a drink at the O-Club bar. Those guys and gals make extended training and combat ops possible irrespective of weather and the other hazards to transfer operation.

Creeping up on a filling station at, or near, ''bingo'' gas and watching that boom or probe, often with a static electricity glow or even a fireball at its tip, coming at you can be a ''I promise to go to chapel'' type event. The thrill (an after event feeling) of exercising one's most genteel and exactitude flying skills to remain in the missionary position (a relative term) for the seeming eternity to take on the requisite fuel never becomes routine.

While we 'blow it off' as a just another day at the office, it isn't. And we all know it even though, unless it's a real hair-raiser, air crews nonchalant it and ostensibly treat it as the work equavalent of making a copy or sending a fax.

I can't even imagine the dual crews' view of the refueling exercise with a helo, that's got to be a ExLax moment for everyone.

[sine_nomine]

I admire the our military people so much. I often give out cigars to our active duty people - and those who have served in the past. They are the greatest.

[OBXWanderer]

I was stationed at MacDill back in the '70s (71-74). Great place; would love to move back to the Tampa area,excepttttt, just a tad too crowded for me these days.

Thanks for the story. (Kinda sounds like Turasz has the hots for Jennifer).

[freedumb2003]

It just so happens that I am in Milwaukee and every week I see the refueling wing planes (KC135s) at the airport.

Converted Boeing 707s -- how cool is that?

[OBXWanderer]

Kinda sounds like Turasz has the hots for Jennifer).</sarc>

[ASOC]

Nice post SR

Passing gas to the good guys bump.

Question - Does "Hey, Load" mean the same as "Hey, Boomer"?

[middie]

A Churchill style Jamacain is always pleasant walking along the beach