USAF F-15C practice FARP with MC-130 for the first time

F-15Cs assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron practice Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) exercise at RAF Mildenhall, England on Jul. 26.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Sequan Gill, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron forward arming and refueling point technician runs out a fuel hose to an F-15C Eagle from RAF Lakenheath July 26, 2017, on RAF Mildenhall, England. A FARP allows for aircraft to be able to rearm and refuel at an austere location and return to the mission without having to land at an actual base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Luke Milano)

According to the commander of 493rd Fighter Squadron, Lt. Col. Jason Zumwalt, this is the first time any MC-130 variant had done a FARP with a F-15C.

Exercise Rapid Eagle saw two MC-130Js from the 67th Special Operations Squadron flying into RAF Lakenheath to pick up F-15C maintenance crews and armament supplies. The airmen were dropped off at RAF Mildenhall after which the MC-130Js proceed to a FARP location to refuel four F-15Cs.