KC-135 bringing fuel to fight

A B-1B Lancer connects with a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling boom over the Indian Ocean on Friday, July 7. The B-1 was flying a close-air support mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The B-1 and KC-135 aircraft are stationed at a forward operating base in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brian Ferguson)

KC-135 bringing fuel to fight

Senior Airman Mark Fiorotto accomplishes preflight paperwork before a refueling mission for a B-1B Lancer over the Indian Ocean on Friday, July 7. Airman Fiorotto is a boom operator on a KC-135 Stratotanker stationed with the 40th Air Expeditionary Group in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brian Ferguson)

KC-135 bringing fuel to fight

A B-1B Lancer prepares to connect with a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling boom over the Indian Ocean on Friday, July 7. The B-1 was flying a close-air support mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The B-1 and the KC-135 are stationed at a forward operating base in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brian Ferguson)

KC-135 bringing fuel to fight

Published July 11, 2006
By Staff Sgt. Paul J. Gonzalez
U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs

OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM -- Whether refueling a fighter, bomber or a cargo aircraft, the KC-135 Stratotanker continues to play a vital role in military air operations and the war on terrorism.

"Everything we do has a direct impact on the war on terror and how the (United States) is viewed elsewhere in the world." said Lt. Col. Dave Cohen, 28th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron commander.

In one month, tanker crews completed more than 100 sorties, 617 hours of flying time and brought 7 million pounds of fuel to the fight -- a task that is being accomplished with an older Air Force asset that still brings results.

The mission of the 28th EARS at its forward operating base is to support the B-1B Lancer. The B-1 will take off just before the KC-135 launches. A few hours later, the two aircraft meet up so the B-1 can receive its fuel. That fuel gets the bomber to the target.

KC-135 crews at the 40th Air Expeditionary Group are in a unique situation. They are parked just down the runway from the aircraft they support. In this environment, KC-135 crews are able to receive direct feedback from the B-1 crews they are supporting.

"We definitely get a sense of impact from the missions because not only do we get a chance to see them through refueling, but we also get to talk to them when they come back," Colonel Cohen said. "For a tanker crew, closure doesn't always happen. But we certainly get that here. We're able to interact with the bombers, and there is a lot of satisfaction knowing that they were able to go out and get their job done."

The tanker crews are well aware of what they bring to the fight, from the boom operators to the aircraft commanders.

"Every mission has a sense of satisfaction to it," said Capt. Ben Klein, a KC-135 pilot. "Providing the warfighter with the resources it needs to get the job done is our job."