Gas on the go KC-130 pumps gas while in flight

[thedrifter]

Gas on the go
KC-130 pumps gas while in flight
Submitted by: MCAS Yuma
Story Identification Number: 2003101717318
Story by Pfc. Natasha S. Green



MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. -- Over the mountainous desert of Arizona and California, Marines participating in Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 1-04 conducted a four hour practice aerial refueling exercise Oct. 9.

During the exercise, KC-130 Hercules were used to refuel AV-8B Harriers and F/A-18 Hornets.

Aerial refueling allows aircraft to receive fuel while in flight, which enables aircraft the capability of flying longer distances and carrying maximum cargo loads.

"It is the equivalent of refueling your car by connecting it to a tanker truck while driving down the highway at high speed," according to the U. S. Centennial of Flight Commission website.

"During a refueling exercise the pilots get together and plan what altitude they are going to meet. Once the KC-130 gets visual contact with the other aircraft, they radio them a clearance to begin pumping fuel," said Staff Sgt. Douglas M. Dalpezzo, flight engineer, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron-152. The fuel is pumped through long gasoline hoses.

A KC-130 is capable of carrying more than 9,000 gallons of fuel, said Dalpezzo, which can be pumped hundreds of gallons each minute,"

"We can keep aircraft flying double their distance in a shorter amount of time, because they don't have to land," said Dalpezzo.

Aircraft are also able to begin a flight with more cargo because they are weighted down by less fuel, said Sgt. Nicole Mulder, flight mechanic, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron-352.

The exercises prepares Marines for war-time situations, so there are some inherent dangers.

"It can be dangerous with fixed-winged aircraft because there are so many aircraft flying at high speed in a confined area," said Dalpezzo. "During the exercises, the KC-130 is flying as fast as possible to keep up with the jet."

"During war we are the link between the air and the ground. Without aerial refueling, many missions cannot be accomplished," said Mulder. "Many aircraft are not capable of carrying enough fuel."

That proved to be true during Operation Iraqi Freedom, where Marine infantry at times needed air support, but the jets did not have enough fuel to get to the site, bomb and return, said Mulder. "They needed us to get them more fuel."

"We were able to refuel them, and eventually get the Marines on the ground help," she said. "All of our training helped."

That same training which was conducted in the exercise seemed to be a success in preparing the Marines .

"Overall I think the exercise went really well," said Capt. Richard B. Fee, a KC-130 pilot with Marine Aircraft Group-11. "It was efficient, and we got our goal accomplished."




In the Arizona skies, a KC-130 Hercules prepares to refuel an F/A -18 Hornet during a refueling exercise for Weapons and Tactics Instructor course Oct. 9.
Photo by: Pfc. Natasha S. Green

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...7?opendocument


Sempers,

Roger