Wife & I had the opportunity to catch a hop on a KC-135 Stratotanker out to the NW recently. While enroute the a/c had scheduled a mission to do some tanking exercises with a C-17 Globemaster III. In addition to sitting in the cockpit for a while, the boom operator asked if we would like to join him in the boom area/station for the refueling exercise.

We met up with the C-17 at about 25,000' over Montana and proceeded to do some practice tanking. As you can see, the receiving a/c fly's within boom reach, maintains position, and the boom operator refuels the a/c by positioning (flying) the boom into the receiver a/c's refueling station, a triangular area behind the cockpit. The boom operator, lying on his stomach on a contoured mat, and controls and positions the boom into the refueling station on the C-17. We got to lie on our sides on either side of the boom operator in a tight, uncomfortable position but it was fun.

The C-17 did about 5 approaches to give each of the C-17 pilots practice. Last picture of the C-17, really 'up close and personal', was more than the wife could handle and had to leave, too close for comfort for her.....but these aircrews are truly professional and it was a very successful and enjoyable mission.

Just thought you might like to see how some of America's finest operate.

While I was active, back in the late '50s, I was hitchhiking from Ft Benning to see my family in Chicago. I got a ride from a civilian contractor (I think) who asked me if I wanted to fly. Ha, think of that. 18 years old, hitchhiking and asked of you want to fly instead. I said "yes" and the guy took me to an AFB just north of Atlanta, drove in the gate without stopping (who knows what he or his rank was), he drove out onto the tarmac, went into flight control and asked if there were any going to Chicago. There was, on the runway (!) and he had the radio tower call the plane, held it while he drove me out to it, I jumped on and we took off.
One of the most outstanding benefits of being military back then! I will always remember it, but only wish I could have done something to thank him. I never even got his name as he did not want to give it to me or get recognition.
This set of photos brought back that 60 year old memory and I thank you for it.