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Ex-RAF Lockheed TriStars returning to the skies again as civilian-owned tankers

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Tempus Applied Solutions (TAS) announced on Aug. 14 that it has acquired six ex-Royal Air Force Lockheed Tristars and three of them will be used for air-to-air refueling (AAR) operations.

F-A-18C Hornet DVIDS118654
See page for author [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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Rapid Raptor capabilities enhanced with inclusion of HC-130J

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Rapid Raptor is a concept that seeks to deploy a package of F-22 and supporting logistics to any forward operating base within 24 hours. This is typically carried out with at least one C-17 to swiftly move, refuel and rearm a minimum of four F-22s in unfamiliar, austere environments. This concept was recently refined with the inclusion of the HC-130J – an extended-range, search and rescue /combat search and rescue transport aircraft.

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 71st Rescue Squadron taxis towards the parking ramp during Stealth Guardian, Aug. 9, 2017, at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. During Stealth Guardian, the 71st RQS worked alongside Airmen from the 325th Fighter Wing to provide airborne mission control and aerial refueling capabilities as well as forward area refueling and rearming points for the F-22 Raptor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)
A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 71st Rescue Squadron taxis towards the parking ramp during Stealth Guardian, Aug. 9, 2017, at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. During Stealth Guardian, the 71st RQS worked alongside Airmen from the 325th Fighter Wing to provide airborne mission control and aerial refueling capabilities as well as forward area refueling and rearming points for the F-22 Raptor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

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Cope Angel 17

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Cope Angel – an annual bilateral event between the JASDF and U.S. Air Force – took place on mainland Japan for the first time on Aug. 9.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dylan Gorr, a 35th Medical Support Squadron emergency medical technician, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Akita Prefecture Rescue Squadron pararescuemen transport a simulated injured pilot during exercise Cope Angel 17 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 9, 2017. Cope Angel 17 kicked off once an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot simulated ejection procedures near Draughon Range. Once the exercise began, APRS pararescuemen and their UH-60J Black Hawk located the pilot and transported him back to Misawa AB for medical treatment. This was the first time this type of exercise occured on mainland Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Deana Heitzman)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dylan Gorr, a 35th Medical Support Squadron emergency medical technician, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Akita Prefecture Rescue Squadron pararescuemen transport a simulated injured pilot during exercise Cope Angel 17 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 9, 2017. Cope Angel 17 kicked off once an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot simulated ejection procedures near Draughon Range. Once the exercise began, APRS pararescuemen and their UH-60J Black Hawk located the pilot and transported him back to Misawa AB for medical treatment. This was the first time this type of exercise occured on mainland Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Deana Heitzman)

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