"Thousands of feet up and racing across the sky at hundreds of miles per hour, US Air Force tankers close to within just 12 feet of fighter jets to refuel them in flight, sometimes as little as 8 feet, closer than a basketball hoop is high. The job is "inherently dangerous," an Air Force boom operator responsible for in-flight refueling of other aircraft told Business Insider during a visit to RAF Mildenhall."
"In June, for instance, President Donald Trump revealed that over 50 tankers supported the US military's Operation Midnight Hammer, the bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities. The aircraft enabled the B-2 Spirit bombers to fly for 36 hours straight."
Boom operators set up midair refueling for receiving aircraft, guiding the refueling boom into close proximity with fighter jets while both aircraft fly at high speed and altitude. Tankers close to within approximately 12 feet, sometimes as close as 8 feet. The role demands steady hands, calm focus, and adherence to training because mistakes can be catastrophic. RAF Mildenhall hosts the 100th Air Refueling Wing, the only US Air Force tanker unit for Europe and Africa, operating Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers. Tankers enable long-distance operations and extended bomber missions, including 36-hour B-2 flights supported by more than 50 tankers.
Read at Business Insider
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]