FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Team Fairchild hosted Lt. Gen. James Jacobson, Pacific Air Forces deputy commander, for a base visit Sep. 23-24.
During Jacobson's visit, leaders across the 92nd Air Refueling Wing showcased the KC-135 Stratotanker mission and capabilities and hosted him as keynote speaker during Fairchild's 75th Anniversary Air Force Ball Celebration.
“It’s always great to be able to host our PACAF partners,” said Col. Jeff Marshall, 92nd ARW vice commander. “It creates an open line of communication that strengthens our partnership and ability to support each other’s operations at a high level. ”
Jacobson’s tour included learning about the KC-135’s new upgraded communications system called Real-Time Information in the Cockpit or RTIC. This system provides aircrews with a higher level of situational awareness, revolutionizes communication capabilities and the role tankers fulfill during combat missions.
“Previously, the only thing the aircrew had to maintain situational awareness in combat was their ears,” said Major Clinton Albaugh, 141st KC-135 Stratotanker pilot. “The RTIC system adds a layer of connectivity and resilience that Fairchild has never had before.”
By hosting and maintaining communication with PACAF leaders and partners, Fairchild can continue to execute to the mobility mission extending Global Reach throughout the Pacific anytime, anywhere.
“This is not the same fight we’ve been accustomed to in the Middle East,” said Jacobson. “Tankers are crucial to any scenario in the Pacific theater. There’s a lot of water and not a lot of land, so expert air refueling to keep jets in the air and maintain air superiority--that’s how we will win in the future.”