Photo By Capt. Jason Smith | Staff Sgt. Andrew Valence, boom operator deployed with a detachment from the 100th Air...... read more read more
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SOUTHWEST EUROPE - A detachment from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, operating from a forward deployed location, completed the second aerial refueling mission in support of French Operations in Mali on Jan. 29, 2013.
The roughly 10-hour mission was the first daytime mission, giving the aircrew the opportunity to see the land area they will be potentially flying over on future missions.
"If you know distinguishing landmarks, it always helps," said Capt. Tim Gerne, aircraft commander for this mission and Barnegat, N.J., native. "It doesn't always mean there is a lot to look at though."
A detachment from the 100th ARW deployed on short notice Jan. 26 and launched the first support refueling mission Jan. 27.
"It's good to see things coming together," said 1st Lt. John Lachiewicz, the co-pilot of the mission and Chapel Hill, N.C. native. "We hope to make a positive difference in helping our NATO allies."
Just getting the chance to fly and participate in the operation was welcomed by the boom operator, Staff Sgt. Andrew Valence, an Anderson, S.C., native. He said all of the crews he talked with were eager to get started, and this first mission for his crew came with much excitement.
The KC-135 is capable of refueling a variety of U.S. and NATO aircraft. It can off-load a maximum of 200,000 pounds of fuel.
| Date Taken: | 01.29.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 02.02.2013 03:24 |
| Story ID: | 101400 |
| Location: | SEE ABOVE FOR ALL HOMETOWNS, KW |
| Web Views: | 177 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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