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Aug 21, 2019 10:17:02   #
Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast
 
gsmith051 wrote:
Very nice set and very interesting. Thanks for posting.

/George


Thanks George and glad you liked it

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Aug 21, 2019 10:18:43   #
Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast
 
Photog8 wrote:
Great shots...super experience.


Thanks Photog, appreciate it

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Aug 21, 2019 11:52:48   #
PaulBrit Loc: Merlin, Southern Oregon
 
Blaster34 wrote:
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.


That’s one hell of a perk! Thanks for sharing that.

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Aug 21, 2019 12:31:55   #
Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV
 
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... (show quote)


That's very cool. I've travelled space "A" several times but never saw anything that cool. Did they actually transfer fuel? Or was it just positioning practice? I would be surprised if they did. Space "A" is usually limited to transport, no mission activities allowed with non-flight crew on board. At least that's my understanding.
BTW, while space "A" is a great perk it can also be a real PITA. A few years ago my wife and I were trying to get to Germany for my son's wedding. There was a deadline involved which is not a good thing for space "A". After three tries over two days and nights we finally had to break down and pony up the cash for a commercial flight. And that's not an uncommon thing.
Great photos!

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Aug 21, 2019 13:15:30   #
Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast
 
Retired CPO wrote:
That's very cool. I've travelled space "A" several times but never saw anything that cool. Did they actually transfer fuel? Or was it just positioning practice? I would be surprised if they did. Space "A" is usually limited to transport, no mission activities allowed with non-flight crew on board. At least that's my understanding.
BTW, while space "A" is a great perk it can also be a real PITA. A few years ago my wife and I were trying to get to Germany for my son's wedding. There was a deadline involved which is not a good thing for space "A". After three tries over two days and nights we finally had to break down and pony up the cash for a commercial flight. And that's not an uncommon thing.
Great photos!
That's very cool. I've travelled space "A&quo... (show quote)


Thanks CPO, no they transferred fuel. Flown overseas on a C-5 to Europe and also did tanking...now there's a rough ride especially when the C-5 is receiving, tail is so tall it's in the jet wash of the tanker, lots of sick people...been on flights where they tank fighters. But then my avatar is my A-6 tanking off a KC-10 over Egypt...different tanking systems...Cheers

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Aug 21, 2019 13:17:38   #
Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast
 
PaulBrit wrote:
That’s one hell of a perk! Thanks for sharing that.


You're more than welcome Paul...however, when flying military, need to be fluid, flexible is far too rigid though....your at their mercy...

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Aug 21, 2019 13:35:45   #
Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV
 
Blaster34 wrote:
Thanks CPO, no they transferred fuel. Flown overseas on a C-5 to Europe and also did tanking...now there's a rough ride especially when the C-5 is receiving, tail is so tall it's in the jet wash of the tanker, lots of sick people...been on flights where they tank fighters. But then my avatar is my A-6 tanking off a KC-10 over Egypt...different tanking systems...Cheers


6'3'' 225lbs and they let you fly A-6's?! On second look it looks like the refueling probe is on the left side of the cockpit so maybe EA-6? If memory serves the probe on the A-6 was on the center line. It's been a long time and I was never an A-6 guy so my memory of such things may(!) be a bit fuzzy.

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Aug 21, 2019 13:46:23   #
UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT
 
Good stuff! Thanks for sharing.

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Aug 21, 2019 14:22:46   #
Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast
 
Retired CPO wrote:
6'3'' 225lbs and they let you fly A-6's?! On second look it looks like the refueling probe is on the left side of the cockpit so maybe EA-6? If memory serves the probe on the A-6 was on the center line. It's been a long time and I was never an A-6 guy so my memory of such things may(!) be a bit fuzzy.


Mega room in an A-6, some short guys needed waivers or the used a yellow page book...😁...probe was on centerline and yes offset on EA-6B station wagon...

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Aug 21, 2019 14:42:03   #
Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV
 
Blaster34 wrote:
Mega room in an A-6, some short guys needed waivers or the used a hellow page book...😁...probe was on centerline and yes offset on EA-6B station wagon...


OK. Thanks. When I was stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba with a squadron of A-4s the XO was even bigger than you by a bit. He had a pretty tight fit. His call sign was Bull. He told me once that the A-4 was fun to fly but he looked forward to a bigger cockpit in his next command.

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Aug 21, 2019 15:56:43   #
Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast
 
Retired CPO wrote:
OK. Thanks. When I was stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba with a squadron of A-4s the XO was even bigger than you by a bit. He had a pretty tight fit. His call sign was Bull. He told me once that the A-4 was fun to fly but he looked forward to a bigger cockpit in his next command.


I flew in an A-4's while at P'cola and it was definitely a very tight fit....figured my shoulders would be gone if I had to eject....lots of room in the A-6 though...Cheers

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Aug 21, 2019 23:07:43   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 

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Aug 22, 2019 00:40:52   #
Dr.Nikon Loc: Honolulu Hawaii
 
Blaster .., this got my attention ... , a shout out to our men and women in uniform working 24/7 .., thnx for sharing a unique experience ..

Reply
Aug 22, 2019 05:29:24   #
J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio
 
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... (show quote)

Nice shots.

Reply
Aug 22, 2019 06:18:28   #
sb Loc: Florida's East Coast
 
Very cool.

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