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U.S. Air Force Col. Steven Byrum, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, controls a boom operator simulator during a day in the life immersion at RAF Mildenhall, England Dec. 19, 2025. The training emphasizes fine motor control, and skills that are critical to executing the Air Force’s global mobility mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iris Carpenter)

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251219-F-RL213-5491

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jordan Page, left, 351st Air Refueling Squadron standards evaluator, speaks with Col. Steven Byrum, center, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, and Senior Airman Aidan Hilty, 100th Operations Support Squadron boom operator, instructor and tactician, at RAF Mildenhall, England Dec. 19, 2025. The conversation gave leadership an inside look at the training pipeline boom operators follow to maintain proficiency and readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iris Carpenter)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Aidan Hilty, 100th Operations Support Squadron boom operator, instructor and tactician, controls the refueling scenario outside the simulator at RAF Mildenhall, England Dec. 19, 2025. After initial training, boom operators continue simulator and live-flight training throughout their careers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iris Carpenter)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Aidan Hilty, left, 100th Operations Support Squadron boom operator, instructor and tactician, and Airman 1st Class Jordan Page, center, 351st Air Refueling Squadron standards evaluator ,salute Col. Steven Byrum, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, at RAF Mildenhall, England Dec. 19, 2025. The day in the life immersion provided leadership firsthand insight into the training and responsibilities required to execute aerial refueling operations of the 100th ARW. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iris Carpenter)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Aidan Hilty, 100th Operations Support Squadron boom operator, instructor and tactician, controls the refueling scenario outside the simulator at RAF Mildenhall, England Dec. 19, 2025. After initial training, boom operators continue simulator and live-flight training throughout their careers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iris Carpenter)

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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jordan Page, back, 351st Air Refueling Squadron standards evaluator, instructs Col. Steven Byrum, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, in a boom operator simulator at RAF Mildenhall, England Dec. 19, 2025. The simulator provides aircrews and senior leaders an immersive understanding of the training and precision required to execute safe and effective aerial refueling operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iris Carpenter)

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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jordan Page, front, 351st Air Refueling Squadron standards evaluator instructs Col. Steven Byrum, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, in a boom operator simulator at RAF Mildenhall, England Dec. 19, 2025. The boom operator simulator enables aircrews to rehearse complex aerial refueling scenarios without risk to aircraft or personnel, ensuring aircrews remain mission ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iris Carpenter)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Aidan Hilty, left, 100th Operations Support Squadron boom operator, instructor and tactician, highfives Col. Steven Byrum, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, during a day in the life immersion at RAF Mildenhall, England Dec. 19, 2025. The command team recognized the OSS for ensuring that aircrews are prepared to execute complex refueling missions worldwide. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iris Carpenter)

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Day In The Life: Boom Operator Simulation

Published Feb. 17, 2026
By Airman 1st Class Iris Carpenter
100th ARW PA

RAF MILDENHALL, England -- U.S. Air Force Col. Steven Byrum, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, controls a boom operator simulator during a day in the life immersion at RAF Mildenhall, England Dec. 19, 2025. The training emphasizes fine motor control, and skills that are critical to executing the Air Force’s global mobility mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iris Carpenter)

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