RAF Mildenhall tankers support coalition operations

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachel Waller
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  On a crisp, crystal clear March night, the sight and sound of several F-15E Strike Eagles taking off in the distance from RAF Lakenheath, disturbed the calm.

The F-15s circled the airspace above the base, like a hunter patiently stalking its prey. Luckily, the F-15s didn't have to wait long; soon some KC-135 Stratotankers took off from RAF Mildenhall.

With the KC-135s leading the way, the F-15s fell into single-file formation behind the aircraft, heading towards Libya.

Since March 19, KC-135s assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing here, have been refueling the coalition forces in support of Joint Task Force Operation Odyssey Dawn.

JTF Odyssey Dawn is the U.S. Africa Command task force established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya and enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973.

The UNSCR 1973 authorizes all necessary measures to protect Libyan citizens under threat of attack by Mommar Gadhafi regime forces.

"KC-135s are the backbone to all of the kinetic operations that are going on downrange in support of JTF Operation Odyssey Dawn," said Lt. Col. Thomas Torkelson, 351st Air Refueling Squadron commander. "The KC-135 is the resource upon which all others rely."

The KC-135 is a significant resource because it's equipped with a boom, a drogue and a Multipoint Refueling System, allowing the tanker to cater to both U.S. and coalition aircraft.

"The KC-135 can also provide greater fuel loads, greater range and greater flexibility," said Colonel Torkelson.

Although the 351st ARS is performing the coalition refueling, the mission would not be possible without the 100th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron generating the aircraft.

"Aircraft generation depends on the work of hundreds of maintainers, from the flightline to backshop, Airmen are working around the clock to keep our fleet healthy and ready to fly," said Capt. Angelina Stephens, 100th AMXS operations officer. "In our [maintenance] execution of JTF Odyssey Dawn, our maintainers are generating aircraft 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

"Without the KC-135, the coalition mission would not be getting done," said Colonel Torkelson.

The goal of coalition mission is to reduce the Libyan regime's ability to defy the no-fly zone and to enhance protection of coalition air forces charged with implementing it.