Team Mildenhall completes first RC-135 hot-pit refueling

A U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft, assigned to the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron, taxis on the flightline to begin the first hot-pit refueling mission for the airframe at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 14, 2023. Hot-pit refueling can enable the RC-135 to perform an operational mission, recover to an airfield for refueling, then perform another mission without the use of a power cart.

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Team Mildenhall completes first RC-135 hot-pit refueling

U.S. Air Force maintenance Airmen, assigned to the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron, place wheel chocks around the nose gear of a RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft to begin the first hot-pit refueling mission for the airframe at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 14, 2023. Hot-pit refueling can enable the RC-135 to perform an operational mission, recover to an airfield for refueling, then perform another mission without the use of a power cart. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Campbell)

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Team Mildenhall completes first RC-135 hot-pit refueling

U.S. Air Force Capt. Max Burnworth, 38th Reconnaissance Squadron RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft pilot, surveys the surrounding area on the flightline during the airframe’s first hot-pit refueling at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 14, 2023. Hot-pit refueling can enable the RC-135 to perform an operational mission, recover to an airfield for refueling, then perform another mission without the use of a power cart. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Campbell)

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Team Mildenhall completes first RC-135 hot-pit refueling

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael Howard, 95th Reconnaissance Squadron crew chief, guides a fuel truck during the hot pit refueling mission of a RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft on the flightline at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 14, 2023. Hot-pit refueling is a technique used to eliminate aircraft downtime and increase reliability in the event of landing in an austere environment or foreign base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Campbell)

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Team Mildenhall completes first RC-135 hot-pit refueling

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jo’von Green, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution operator, carries a fuel hose to a RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft on the flightline at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 14, 2023. Hot-pit refueling operations test an aircraft capability to land and park, keeping the engines running, while the aircraft is refueled and prepared to take off quickly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Campbell)

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Team Mildenhall completes first RC-135 hot-pit refueling

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael Howard, left, 95th Reconnaissance Squadron crew chief, and Airman 1st Class Jo’von Green, right, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution operator, attach a fuel hose to a RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft on the flightline at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug 14,2023. Howard and Green ensured success during the first hot-pit refueling for the RC-135 Rivet Joint. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Campbell)

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Team Mildenhall completes first RC-135 hot-pit refueling

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael Howard, 95th Reconnaissance Squadron crew chief, watches over the fuel hose connection during the first hot-pit refueling of a RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 14, 2023. Hot-pit refueling is a technique used to eliminate aircraft downtime and increase reliability in the event of landing in an austere environment or foreign base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Campbell)

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Team Mildenhall completes first RC-135 hot-pit refueling

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron, assist with procedures during the first hot-pit refueling of a RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 14, 2023. Team Mildenhall’s efforts contributed to the process of certifying the airframe for future hot-pit refueling U.S. Air Force wide. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Campbell)

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Team Mildenhall completes first RC-135 hot-pit refueling

A U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft, assigned to the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron, taxis on the flightline to begin the first hot-pit refueling mission for the airframe at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 14, 2023. Hot-pit refueling can enable the RC-135 to perform an operational mission, recover to an airfield for refueling, then perform another mission without the use of a power cart. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Campbell)

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Team Mildenhall completes first RC-135 hot-pit refueling

Published Aug. 17, 2023
By Airman 1st Class Christopher Campbell
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England -- A U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft, assigned to the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron, taxis on the flightline to begin the first hot-pit refueling mission for the airframe at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 14, 2023. Hot-pit refueling can enable the RC-135 to perform an operational mission, recover to an airfield for refueling, then perform another mission without the use of a power cart.