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U.S. Air Force Capt. Erik Clark, a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot with the 93rd Air Refueling Squadron, provides additional instruction to requalify a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot during air refueling training over Hurlburt Field, Florida, Feb. 4, 2020. The air refueling training allowed members of the 1st Special Operations Wing and KC-135 pilots to increase their air-refueling proficiency at night and during inclement weather. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Gomez)

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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Demian Solis, a KC-135 Stratotanker boom operator with the 97th Air Refueling Squadron, guides the boom an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship assigned to 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida, during air refueling training over Florida, Feb. 4, 2020. The training allowed pilots and aircrew with the 1st SOW to meet their requirements for air refueling qualification. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Gomez)

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U.S. Air Force Capt. Elias Barry, a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot with the 97th Air Refueling, prepares to air refuel aircraft assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida, during night training while flying over Florida, Feb. 3, 2020. As part of Air Force Special Operations Command, the 1st SOW is home to the AC-130U Spooky gunship, the AC-130J Ghostrider gunship and the MC-130H Combat Talon II which aid in missions to include close air support, precision aerospace firepower, specialized aerospace mobility, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, and combat support, any time, any place. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Gomez)

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An AC-130J Ghostrider gunship with the 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker with the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, during training over Florida, Feb. 4, 2020. The 92nd ARW provides Airmen the ability to fly, fight and win in any mission, worldwide. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Gomez)

AFSOC Gains Valuable Training from Fairchild Tankers

Published Feb. 19, 2020
By Airman 1st Class Ryan Gomez
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Team Fairchild Airmen from the 97th Air Refueling Squadron conducted air refueling training in support of Air Force Special Operations Command’s 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field.

Fairchild KC-135 Stratotankers globally support many mission types as Air Mobility Command’s premiere air refueling wing and has put the recently reactivated 97th ARS to work training with pilots and aircrew with the 1st SOW that undertake dangerous flying missions.

“[If we’re] going to a deployed location where we can’t land because the landing or drop zone is under fire, and we’re low on gas, we rely on a tanker to be above us,” said Capt. Austin Cornay, 15th Special Operations Squadron MC-130H Combat Talon II pilot. “The KC-135 helps us continue to do our everyday mission, so it’s huge for us to know we have the capability to continue fighting the good fight that we do.”

The AC-130 and MC-130 airframes are highly reliable and versatile aircraft that serve as workhorses for moving cargo, equipment and troops when and wherever needed. The KC-135 is far larger, heavier and faster than the C-130, which requires special training to be able to successfully refuel midair.

“They operate differently than we do here, especially being AFSOC,” said Capt. Elias Barry, 97th ARS KC-135 pilot. “They have special procedures for the C-130 that we’re not used to. We have to slow [the KC-135] down, roll our flaps down, and they have a different meet-up point so that was really important for our training.”

The needs of a deployed environment may change quickly, so allowing KC-135 Airmen to train with a wide selection of aircraft to refuel helps strengthen partnerships between units of all mission types, improving confidence and coordination in the field.

“Communication is key during air refueling,” Cornay said. “If we are unable to use our radios, we rely on alternate means of communication to get gas, and that’s what we practiced with the KC-135.”

KC-135 Airmen provide air refueling support regardless of the date, time or location, which can be crucial to special operations aircrews who may find themselves in a hazardous situation; the support of a nearby KC-135 can make all the difference.

“It’s very helpful working with different commands,” Barry said. “We learn different things from each other, get a lot of good feedback and build up the Air Force to work together across commands.”

Whether it’s at home, across the country or on the other side of the world, refueling training enables greater understanding and coordination between squadrons, builds a modern mobility Air Force and ensures the delivery of strength and hope now and in the future.