Hot refueling on the fly

Airmen from the 127th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron pack up equipment and do final checks after a hot refueling of a KC-135R Stratotanker, July 12, 2023, at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. Hot refueling allows an aircraft’s engines to remain running while being refueled, increasing the capabilities of aircraft to land anywhere, refuel and take-off much faster. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Amn Elise Faurote)

Hot refueling on the fly

Senior Master Sgt. Nick Obusek, left, and Tech. Sgt. Nathan Geist, right, 74th Aerial Refueling Squadron boom operators, monitor for fuel leaks and flames during a hot refueling of a KC-135R Stratotanker, July 12, 2023, at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. Hot refueling allows an aircraft’s engines to remain running while being refueled, increasing the capabilities of aircraft to land anywhere, refuel and take-off much faster.

Hot refueling on the fly

An Air National Guardsman assigned to the 127th Logistics Readiness Squadron operates the fuel truck refueling a KC-135R Stratotanker, July 12, 2023, at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. Hot refueling allows an aircraft’s engines to remain running while being refueled, increasing the capabilities of aircraft to land anywhere, refuel and take-off much faster.

Hot refueling on the fly

Airmen standby as a KC-135R Stratotanker is refueled, July 12, 2023, at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. Hot refueling allows an aircraft’s engines to remain running while being refueled, increasing the capabilities of aircraft to land anywhere, refuel and take-off much faster. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Amn Elise Faurote)

Hot refueling on the fly

Tech. Sgt. Nathan Geist, left, and Senior Master Sgt. Nick Obusek, right, 74th Aerial Refueling Squadron boom operators, pose for a picture after the successful hot refueling of a KC-135R Stratotanker, July 12, 2023, at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. Hot refueling allows an aircraft’s engines to remain running while being refueled, increasing the capabilities of aircraft to land anywhere, refuel and take-off much faster. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Amn Elise Faurote)

Hot refueling on the fly

Published July 20, 2023
By Airman Elise Faurote
434 Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Airmen from the 127th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron pack up equipment and do final checks after a hot refueling of a KC-135R Stratotanker, July 12, 2023, at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. Hot refueling allows an aircraft’s engines to remain running while being refueled, increasing the capabilities of aircraft to land anywhere, refuel and take-off much faster. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Amn Elise Faurote)