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.
Some spectacular photos, Blaster. Good work on the part of everyone involved.
--Bob
Blaster34 wrote:
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.
Wife & I had the opportunity to catch a hop on... (
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rmalarz wrote:
Some spectacular photos, Blaster. Good work on the part of everyone involved.
--Bob
Thanks Bob...I'm 6'3", 225lbs, no longer that agile and it was a tight squeeze for me...they sure have to be agile to do that work. Also shows the difference between Navy & AF tanking procedures.
Nice series, nice detail, lucky you, thanks for sharing Blaster!
You casually say: “Wife & I had the opportunity to catch a hop on a KC-135 Stratotanker out to the NW recently.”
I’m very curious. How come?
Great pictures by the way!
PaulBrit wrote:
You casually say: “Wife & I had the opportunity to catch a hop on a KC-135 Stratotanker out to the NW recently.”
I’m very curious. How come?
Great pictures by the way!
Thanks....One of the benefits of being retired military is 'Space Available' on military a/c....only when available though, low priority for retirees.....active members and cargo always have priority. This flight originated out of McDill in Tampa and was headed to Seattle area.
Transbuff1985 wrote:
Nice series, nice detail, lucky you, thanks for sharing Blaster!
Thanks Transbluff, really appreciate the comment and you're more than welcome.
Very good shots, Blaster.
Great shots...super experience.
Very nice set and very interesting. Thanks for posting.
/George
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