Fueling Up With The 60th AMW

by Lance

Fueling Up With The 60th AMW

Bringing the fuel to the fight

During Talisman Sabre 2019, The Aviation Studio was fortunate enough to ride along with the 60th Air Mobility Wing based out of Travis Air Force, California thanks to Australian Aviation. The day started with meeting up with fellow media at a FBO at Brisbane Airport. We were briefed on the days mission which would be onboard ‘XTNDR 36’, part of the blue air support. Our mission: to defend the air space from a fictitious state acting as red air.

United States Air Force KC-10A 86-0037, prior to boarding (Image: Lance Broad)

We were then driven by bus to the aircraft that we would ride that day. A KC-10A Extender (86-0037). Standing in front of the KC-10 was a massive bucket list moment for me. The Douglas DC-10 is my favorite aircraft and to be able to realise a dream of flying on one was quite special.

The crew of our flight preparing the KC-10A for departure (Image: Lance Broad)

At 9am, the doors closed and the engines started up before a long taxi to RWY19L. When we got airborne we made the right hand turn over the city and out over Moreton Bay. We then established on an easterly track before turning south and starting in the area of operation, where we would meet up with fast jets to refuel.

A Royal Australian Air Force E/A-18G A46-310 disconnecting from the drogue line, seen from a United States Air Force KC-10A (Image: Lance Broad)

First up on the boom were four F-22As from the 90th Fighter Squadron working out of Amberley. Followed by US Navy E/A-18Gs, F/A-18E and F/A-18F models from the USS Ronald Reagan. The KC-10A has the capability to refuel using it’s boom for Air Force assets or via the hose and drogue for Navy or aircraft like the Super Hornet or Growler.

A United States Navy F/A-18E 168362 from VFA-27 refueling from a USAF KC-10A (Image: Lance Broad)
US Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet
A United States Navy F/A-18E 168362 from VFA-27 breaking away to sit off the right wing of the KC-10A (Image: Lance Broad)

Due to the amount of media onboard, we were each given a certain amount of aircraft to photograph. We had the chance to see a RAAF Growler and Navy Super Hornet refuel. Once the E model hornet broke away our time down on the refuelers station was up and we returned to the main deck of the KC-10A.

KC10A Cargo Deck
The main deck of a KC-10A Extender (Image: Lance Broad)

The thing The Aviation Studio enjoyed from the flight the most was the ability to ride in the jump seat on the approach and landing into Brisbane Airport’s RWY19L. As we approached the coastline, all the familiar sights of Brisbane reappeared.

Flightaware
Flight track for the flight courtesy of FlightAware

It was an absolute pleasure to fly with the US Air Force and we look forward to welcoming them to our skies again soon.

Lance is a passionate aviation photographer who loves to travel the world photographing rare aircraft. Some of his favorite places to photograph include Anchorage, Alaska and Nellis Air Force base in Nevada.