The presence of “Texaco” overhead was usually mandatory during night cyclic operations, and the tanker was almost always the last one…
Air-to-air refueling
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Cold War EraMilitary Aviation
Legendary fighter pilot Francis “Gabby” Gabreski was one of the firsts to test the F-100 hose-and-drogue refueling capability, but he preferred to attack a squadron of Fw-190s alone in a P-47. Here’s why.
by Dario LeoneThe aerial refueling capability of the F-100 and fighters like it enabled the Air Force to quickly send reinforcements to trouble…
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Military Aviation
Video Shows Airbus A330 MRTT Aircraft completing world’s first ever fully automatic refuelling contact
by Dario LeoneThis milestone is part of the industrialisation phase of automatic air-to-air refuelling systems ahead of its implementation in the A330 MRTT…
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HelicoptersMilitary Aviation
CH-53K King Stallion demonstrates long-range logistic support capabilities with first, successful air refueling tests
The 4.5 hour test was accomplished over the Chesapeake Bay with a KC-130J aerial refueling (AR) tanker. The CH-53K King Stallion…
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Losses and Aviation SafetyMilitary Aviation
Former C-17 Instructor Explains What Happens if the Aircraft Thrust Reversers are accidentally Deployed during Aerial Refueling
by Dario LeoneWhat happens if a C-17 pilot accidentally deploys the aircraft thrust reversers in flight? Thrust reversal, also called reverse thrust, is…
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Losses and Aviation SafetyMilitary Aviation
VFA-106 F/A-18F Damaged While Getting Refueled by another Gladiators Super Hornet
by Dario LeoneThe F/A-18F sucked debris into both of its engines during the mishap which took place on Jan. 27, 2020, causing at…
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Losses and Aviation SafetyMilitary Aviation
That time a KC-135 Crew saved an F-16 Pilot from ejecting over ISIS Territory
by Dario LeoneAfter the F-16 disconnected a second time, the pilot went through his checklists and told the crew he had a fuel…
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Losses and Aviation SafetyMilitary Aviation
This RCAF CF-18 Hornet features kill marks for broken refueling probes
by Dario LeoneAlthough we don’t know exactly the story behind this photo, a “broken probe” is not an uncommon incident. The unusual photo…
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Losses and Aviation SafetyMilitary Aviation
The Story of North Star, the KC-135 Stratotanker that Saved an F-4 Phantom over the Atlantic
by Dario LeoneThe KC-135 Stratotanker North Star had its landing gear down and its engines at idling speed in an attempt to slow…
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Losses and Aviation SafetyMilitary Aviation
Remembering Shell 77, the KC-135 that crashed in Kyrgyzstan while it was departing for combat aerial refueling mission
by Dario LeoneShell 77 crew encountered a condition they had not realistically experienced in training, which left them with an unrecognized hazardous situation…