F-15C FARP

USAF F-15Cs PERFORM FARP WITH MC-130 FOR THE FIRST TIME

By Dario Leone
Aug 14 2017
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A FARP is an austere location near a combat zone where fuel and supplies can be transferred from one aircraft to another

On Ju. 26, 2017 F-15Cs assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron practiced Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) exercise at RAF Mildenhall, England.

According to the commander of 493rd Fighter Squadron, Lt. Col. Jason Zumwalt, this is the first time any MC-130 variant had done a FARP with a F-15C. “This was the first ever FARP between any MC-130 variant and an F-15C. It was important because it helped to prove the concept of integrating the FARP capabilities of the MC-130 with the F-15C. This capability could provide improved flexibility for future operations,” he said.

Two U.S. Air Force 352d Special Operations Squadron Deployed Aircraft Ground Response Element team members assist with airfield security while a 67th Special Operations Squadron loadmaster finishes unloading F-15C Eagle weapons crews and supplies  from RAF Lakenheath from an MC-130J Commando II during a Forward Arming and Refueling Point, or FARP, exercise on Jul. 26, 2017, on RAF Mildenhall, England.

Exercise Rapid Eagle saw two MC-130Js from the 67th Special Operations Squadron (SOS) flying into RAF Lakenheath to pick up F-15C maintenance crews and armament supplies. The airmen were dropped off at RAF Mildenhall after which the MC-130Js proceed to a FARP location to refuel four F-15Cs.

A FARP is an austere location near a combat zone where fuel and supplies can be transferred from one aircraft to another.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Michael Ricci, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron forward arming and refueling point, or FARP, technician carries out one of the 100 foot hoses used to refuel four F-15C Eagles, from RAF Lakenheath, during a FARP exercise on Jul. 26, 2017, on RAF Mildenhall, England.

“The FARP gives us the ability to ground refuel fixed wing, tilt-rotor and rotor assets,” said Master Sgt. Jeffrey Nighbert, 67th SOS operations superintendent.

As explained by A1C Luke Milano, 352 SOW Public Affairs, in the article Three UK-based wings conduct first-time FARP exercise, because of its nature, the drill included the involvement of three separate wings: the 48th Fighter Wing (FW), 352d Special Operations Wing (SOW) and 100th Air Refueling Wing (ARW), each having their own part to play in the overall success of the exercise.

The 100th ARW supplied the FARP hose deployment personnel from the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle lands on RAF Mildenhall, England, before being refueled by an MC-130J Commando II on Jul. 26, 2017.

Having a FARP capability plays an important role for deployed aircraft in austere locations by allowing U.S. forces to shorten the amount of time needed to return to the mission.

“This allows our air assets to engage the enemy, get refueled, rearmed and get back to the fight quickly,” said Maj. John Kauzlaric, 67th SOS combat systems officer. “It doesn’t require us to have a fully manned base, which allows for more flexibility.”

This was also the first time the 67th SOS performed FARP with a fixed-wing fighter aircraft, added Kauzlaric.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Michael Ricci, right, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron Forward Arming and Refueling Point technician aids a U.S. Air Force 67th Special Operations Squadron loadmaster with removing residual fuel from a hose using a tool called a ‘squeegee’ on Jul. 26, 2017, on RAF Mildenhall, England.

As explained by Zumwalt the drill has been a success. “Exercises like this help increase our ability to integrate our capabilities and train our Airmen in unfamiliar tasks,” he pointed out.

The success of Rapid Eagle holds promise for forthcoming exercises and missions using the MC-130J and F-15C.

“In the future, we look at expanding to a bigger scale exercise that is more complex, and eventually use in combat operations,” said Kauzlaric.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Michael Ricci, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron Forward Arming and Refueling Point, or FARP, technician begins to hook up a fuel hose to a F-15C Eagle from RAF Lakenheath as U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brian Nichols, 100th LRS FARP technician stands nearby with a fire extinguisher during a FARP exercise on Jul. 26, 2017, on RAF Mildenhall, England.

Photo credit: Airman 1st Class Luke Milano / U.S. Air Force


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Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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