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.
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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