Photo By Gunnery Sgt. J. R. Heins | Pilots of a UH-60 Black Hawk await Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport...... read more read more
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HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. - Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 conducted night-time aerial refueling at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., and air-delivered ground refueling training at Wright Army Airfield, Ga., Oct. 22.
During the training, VMGR-252 supported the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), providing aerial refueling capability to extend the regiment’s expeditionary range.
The squadron flew two KC-130J Super Hercules’ during the training, supporting separate 160th SOAR flights.
“While one Super Hercules refueled two UH-60 Black Hawks, the second aircraft worked with a UH-47 Chinook,” said1st Lt. David M. Bick, a naval aviator with the squadron.
According to Lance Cpl. Michael J. Slifer, a crew master with the squadron, the aircraft refueled while using signal lamps to help pilots and crews from both VMGR-252 and 160th SOAR train for situations when radio communication is not possible.
According to Slifer, crew members monitored the process and positions of the aircraft from the back of the Super Hercules during the flight.
“There are six different positions in the refueling process,” said Slifer, a native of Palm Bay, Fla. “We signal the Black Hawks through the refueling process positions and tell the pilots when to connect and disconnect from the fuel line with flashes of light.”
After aerial refuel, the Marines landed at Wright Airfield, a smaller expeditionary airfield to begin air-delivered ground refueling training.
“ADGR is used for aircraft that cannot refuel in flight and to keep aircraft closer to the fight,” said Bick, a native of Spokane, Wash., and co-pilot during the flight.
According to Bick, Marines conduct ADGR while deployed to austere environments using short, unimproved airfields.
“Our job, once the Black Hawks landed, was to taxi, connect and signal the start and stop of fuel flow,” said Slifer. “For the enlisted crew, it is important to keep our situational awareness high during flight and maintain communication between all the pilots.”
In total, the Black Hawks topped-off with nearly 7,000 pounds of fuel.
“These types of exercises are used to enhance the entire air-crew’s ability to work together, build experience and hone skills needed for future deployments,” said Bick.
| Date Taken: | 10.28.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.28.2014 13:55 |
| Story ID: | 146328 |
| Location: | HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 135 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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