HomeNewsArticle Display

100th ARW conducts first EUCOM KC-135 rapid refuel

By Tech. Sgt. Anthony Hetlage, 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs / Published March 02, 2021

210226-F-SZ986-1002.JPG
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 1 of 6

Members of the 100th Maintenance Group begin to refuel U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing during the first-ever rapid refueling of a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft in all of U.S. Air Forces in Europe command at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, Jan. 8 2021. During rapid refueling the KC-135’s engines are all shut down which allows the operators to utilize the procedure anywhere; whereas hotpitting may not be available at certain locations during peacetime, further enabling the U.S.'s Global Strike and Rapid Global Mobility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Anthony Hetlage)

210226-F-SZ986-1005.JPG
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 2 of 6

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing is refueled during the first-ever rapid refueling of a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft in all of U.S. Air Forces in Europe command at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, Jan. 8 2021. Similar to hot refueling, also known as hotpitting, rapid refueling reduces time during the procedure, from six to under two hours. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Anthony Hetlage)

210226-F-SZ986-1001.JPG
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 3 of 6

Members of the 100th Maintenance Group begin to refuel U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing during the first-ever rapid refueling of a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft in all of U.S. Air Forces in Europe command at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, Jan. 8 2021. Similar to hot refueling, also known as hotpitting, rapid refueling reduces time during the procedure, from six to under two hours. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Anthony Hetlage)

210226-F-SZ986-1006.JPG
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 4 of 6

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing is refueled during the first-ever rapid refueling of a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft in all of U.S. Air Forces in Europe command at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, Jan. 8 2021. During rapid refueling the KC-135’s engines are all shut down which allows the operators to utilize the procedure anywhere; whereas hotpitting may not be available at certain locations during peacetime, further enabling the U.S.'s Global Strike and Rapid Global Mobility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Anthony Hetlage)

210226-F-SZ986-1004.JPG
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 5 of 6

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing is refueled during the first-ever rapid refueling of a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft in all of U.S. Air Forces in Europe command at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, Jan. 8 2021. During rapid refueling the KC-135’s engines are all shut down which allows the operators to utilize the procedure anywhere; whereas hotpitting may not be available at certain locations during peacetime, further enabling the U.S.'s Global Strike and Rapid Global Mobility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Anthony Hetlage)

210226-F-SZ986-1003.JPG
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 6 of 6

A members of the 100th Maintenance Group refuels a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing during the first-ever rapid refueling of a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft in all of U.S. Air Forces in Europe command at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, Jan. 8 2021. Similar to hot refueling, also known as hotpitting, rapid refueling reduces time during the procedure, from six to under two hours. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Anthony Hetlage)

PRINT | E-MAIL
ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England --

The 100th Air Refueling Wing brought a new capability to the Europe Command’s Area of Responsibility with the first rapid refuel on February 26, 2021.

Similar to hot refueling, also known as hotpitting, rapid refueling reduces time during the procedure, from six to under two hours. During rapid refueling the KC-135’s engines are all shut down which allows the operators to utilize the procedure anywhere; whereas hotpitting may not be available at certain locations during peacetime.  This capability further enables the U.S.'s Global Strike and Rapid Global Mobility mission.

“While we found rapid refueling less efficient and reliable than hotpitting, this capability could be a game changer off-station,” said Capt. Hanna Munger, Chief of Wing Tactics, USAF. “This event adds yet another arrow to our quiver as our aircrews and ground crews work together to accelerate change and make history.”