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Fairchild Air Force Base instructor pilots pose with Kansas Air National Guard 117th Air Refueling Squadron Airmen for a group picture after completing Minimum Interval Take-Off training exercises at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, Oct. 24, 2018. MITO training is incorporated into the regular aircrew training regimen of Air Force tanker pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Ryan Lackey)

Fairchild partners with Kansas ANG Airmen for MITO training

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ryan Lackey
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash --  
Team Fairchild instructor pilots trained with aircrews and KC-135 Stratotankers from the Air National Guard 117th Air Refueling Squadron located in Forbes Field, Kansas to practice Minimum Interval Take-Off training Oct. 24 –26.

“Total Force Integration is every day business for us and the guard,” said Maj. Dane Arnholt, 92nd Operations Support Squadron assistant operations officer and pilot. “It was no different than if we were training local Airmen from our own squadrons. We can operate seamlessly with any guard unit in the world without even batting an eye.”

MITO reduces the amount of time between aircraft launches, automatically positioning the jets in a standard group formation once airborne.

“Historically, this training was done at every tanker base in the Strategic Air Command,” Arnhold said. “It was originally developed as a method to get as many aircraft airborne in as short a period as possible, should they be threatened on the ground.”

MITO training is a vital part of a regular aircrew training regimen.

Without practice, the maneuver can be risky as the thrust from one jet may cause turbulence. Exposing pilots to those tricky conditions is essential to successful execution.

Fairchild is the largest base in the world, and one of few bases that provide MITO training to regional units, helping both ANG and active duty squadrons seamlessly work together.

“It was great having Fairchild instructor pilots riding co-pilot in the seat next to us, giving us hands-on assistance in the air,” said Maj. Matt Sayers, Kansas Air National Guard 117th ARS pilot. “We’re glad to come out here and be a part of this effort.”

Training rigorously with ANG partners to be ready to face any situation is vital to the continued strength and readiness of our tanker aircrews as they execute the Rapid Global Mobility mission around the world.