News>Reserve tanker crew first operational crew to refuel F-35
Photos
A KC-135R Stratotanker aircrew from the Air Force Reserve Command’s 916th Air Refueling Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., flies alongside an F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter over the California coastline. During this mission they became the first operational tanker crew to refuel an F-35. (U.S. Air Force photo/Darin Russell)
A KC-135R Stratotanker aircrew from the Air Force Reserve Command’s 916th Air Refueling Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., flies alongside an F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter over the California countryside. During this mission they became the first operational tanker crew to refuel an F-35. (U.S. Air Force photo/Darin Russell)
A KC-135R Stratotanker aircrew from the Air Force Reserve Command’s 916th Air Refueling Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., refuels an F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter over the California countryside. During this mission they became the first operational tanker crew to refuel an F-35. (U.S. Air Force photo/Darin Russell)
5/5/2011 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (AFNS) -- What started out as a routine mission for Airmen from the Air Force Reserve Command's 916th Air Refueling Wing turned into an historic 'first in flight' moment recently.
Flying a KC-135R Stratotanker, a flight crew and a maintenance crew from the wing's 911th Air Refueling Squadron thought they were headed to California to support training and airlift for other wings. But what surprised these five Airmen when they arrived at Edwards Air Force Base was the mission they were actually given, to be the first operational tanker crew to refuel the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter.
"We were the very first aircrew allowed to refuel the F-35, since the guidance allowing AMC crews to do so had just come out the night before," said Capt. Robert Draper, a 911th ARS pilot.
The crew was in California to support both F-35 and F-22 Raptor flight testing.
Coincidentally, members of the 916th ARW also were the first to refuel the F-22 a few years ago off the coast of Florida.
Along with Captain Draper, Lt. Fred Burnette, Staff Sgts. Travis Swinson and Jonathan Wygal and Airman First Class Timothy Carter were part of this historic mission.
Comments
5/17/2011 12:07:05 AM ET Actually I refueled the F-22 out of Edwards in 2003 as well. And went back several times to do it. KC-135's.
Travis, KC
5/10/2011 9:11:39 AM ET Great story, not for the subject but for the fact that Maj Mann acknowledged the maintenance crew that took part in the mission. I have been an aircraft mechanic for most of my career in the AF. Part of that time was spent on tankers. I have been on support missions like this and returned home to read the base news and see the flight crew mentioned throughout the article and not one word about the maintenance team that stayed late or came in early to make sure the jet was crew ready. This is the first article that I have read where the unsung heros of the maintenance world were referred to by name. Thanks again, Maj Mann.
Sean, Nebraska
5/9/2011 10:39:51 AM ET @Mike, actually if you read the article, the second to last sentence references the 916 ARW as being the first to refuel the F-22 a few years ago. Dave was commenting that the 305 AMW KC-10's conducted F-22 refueling in 2003 which I concur with Dave is more than a few years ago. Attention to detail Airman.
MM, FL
5/8/2011 2:24:36 PM ET That's an F-35. Attention to detail Airman.
Mike, Pittsburgh
5/6/2011 2:11:48 PM ET Way to go, Cherokee Rose. Another first for a very fine tanker.
Rich H., Wisconsin
5/6/2011 8:10:06 AM ET I doubt they were the first to refuel the F-22, unless they did it way back in 2003 or so. The 305th AMW KC-10's were out in CA to support the F-22. That was more than a few years ago.
