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| Air Frame: A C-17 Globemaster III is guided into position behind the refueling boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker during a training mission near JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, March 20, 2014. (Air Force photo by SSgt. Alexander Martinez) |
I've seen very few pictures of night refueling until today, and none like the close up above. How interesting (well, interesting to ME. YMMV).
Back in the early 80's, air refueling was still noisy with a lot of radio chatter. Then it was decided that it would be conducted silently. It started at Red Flag, where the friendly tanker was in a known orbit position. So if you needed gas, you just flew to the orbit, found the tanker and made your own intercept. The boomer or the flight deck was usually the first to see you, so you would flash your headlights and the tanker would flash its headlights if head-to head, or the AR lights if you were coming into their six. Red Flag was crazy, because you had heavy's, and fighters all showing up for gas, and your pucker factor increased as they all liked to snuggle-up. One day we had an RC-135 snuggling up, but he had a little too much smash, so his left wing was up and he kind of used his speed brakes to park right next to us. You just have to accept on faith that they won't kill you. Anyway, AR was always pretty much a blink your lights communication after that. Radio would only be used if you were screwing up.
ReplyDeleteVERY interesting. Thanks for that, GnG.
DeleteInteresting to me as well. Great pic.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I thought it was nice.
DeleteGreat foto. Nice screensaver!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rummy.
DeleteNite and weather was always my favorite. Ok NOT!
ReplyDeleteHeh. Just like me and motorcycles!
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