USAF can now refuel aircraft on the taxiway at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia

The U.S. Air Force’s 378th Air Expeditionary Logistics Squadron was able to set up an R-20 refueling station next to a taxiway at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia in 48 hours after getting the call.

The 378th Expeditionary Logistic Readiness Squadron rapidly refuel a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 23rd Expeditionary Refueling Squadron from Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, July 13, 2020. The 378th ELRS in combination with the 378th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron installed the new station in less than 48 hours, giving the base the capability to refuel tanker aircraft on the taxiway to elimate refueling times. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Benjamin Wiseman)


F-15s from the 44th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and a KC-135 landed at the air base to refuel and turnaround for another mission on Jul. 14 to test out the new refueling station.

1st Lt. McDaniel, 349th EARS, KC-135 Stratotanker pilot, said: “With the rapid refueling process, it was a lot faster. We took 85,000 pounds of fuel in less than an hour. This will allow us to get off the ground, provide the fueling capability in the (area of responsibility) and sustain combat operations.”

“This refueling capability shortens the ground and servicing time for a large aircraft, and we wanted to test this capability concept in the austere environment. Every minute on the ground is a minute the aircraft is not conducting its critical air-refueling mission. For fighters in particular, that air-air refueling is vital,” said Col. Hurrelbrink, 378th EOG commander. “We wanted to demonstrate an expedited refuel capability (rapid refuel) of a large aircraft and that Prince Sultan has the capability to rapidly turn tankers on the ground so the aircraft can return to the fight to provide fuel to U.S. and coalition partners.”

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