A Japanese Air Self Defense Force F-15 Eagle is refueled by a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft as part of bilateral air refueling training on Okinawa, Japan, May 10, 2012. By training with the JASDF, the bilateral capabilities between the U.S. and Japan continue to be refined and enhanced when it comes to controlling the skies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers)
A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron is backed into a spot for 718th Air Maintenance Squadron Airmen to perform routine maintenance during a Pacific Air Forces readiness inspection on Kadena Air Base, Oct. 23, 2012. The 718th AMXS maintains the Air Force’s only air refueling, combat search and rescue, and air battle management assets in the Western Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Micheal Weidman, 909th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, talks to the pilot of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker during bilateral air refueling training with Japanese Air Self Defense Force airmen over Okinawa, Japan, May 10, 2012. For the past five years, JASDF airmen have been training with Kadena Airmen to familiarize themselves with air refueling before deploying to Red Flag exercises in Alaska. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Hernani Medina, 718th Aircraft Maintance Squadron, environmental and electrician specialist, taxies out an U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft on Kadena Air Base, April 5, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers)
by Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers
18th Wing Public Affairs
10/23/2012 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle fighter jet uses its acceleration and range to maneuver through enemy defenses and engage enemy aircraft. Due to the intense g-forces and speeds the aircraft may experience in combat, the F-15 can burn through four tanks of fuel in as little as one and a half to two hours.
On the outskirts of the fight, flies 322,500 pounds of U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft ready to refuel the F-15s so they can continue the fight.
"The KC-135 is a refueling platform capable of refueling multiple platforms from multiple countries," said 1st Lt. Jodi Osbeck, 909th Air Maintenance Unit officer in charge.
The 909th Air Refueling Squadron at Kadena plays a key part in the Pacific providing fuel to U.S. and allied aircraft during peacetime and during contingencies in the entire Pacific area of responsibility.
Using a shuttle cock-shaped drogue, the aircraft is able to refuel aircraft that have special probes. A member of the crew known as the boom operator will lay in the tail end of the aircraft and direct the drogue to fit into the corresponding probe.
As the Keystone of the Pacific, Kadena is the perfect and most strategic home for these airborne gas stations.
"The KC-135 also has a second mission unique to the Pacific theater," said Osbeck. "We have an aeromedical evacuation requirement and we are the only unit with this commitment."
Adding a basic crew of two flight nurses and three medical technicians, the unit is able to support movements of critical patients and neonatal intensive care babies around the world.
"If you ask the 909th AMU, several people would say the most satisfying thing about their jobs would be saving people's lives," said Osbeck.
Overall the members of the 909th ARS play an important and essential part in being mission ready, fueling the flight, day and night.
