Life of a mission supporting French fighter aircraft

Photo By Capt. Jason Smith | First Lt. John Lachiewicz and Capt. Tim Gerne, both 351st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, bank their KC-135 Stratotanker toward the runway after a March 17, 2013, refueling mission. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jason Smith)  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

03.17.2013

Story by Capt. Jason Smith 

100th Air Refueling Wing   

SOUTHWEST EUROPE – On March 17, 2013, a 351st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron aircrew delivered fuel to French fighter aircraft over Africa.

The French fighters are conducting operations over Mali, and the air-to-air refueling expands the operational capability of French aircraft by allowing them to remain airborne for extended periods of time.

Since deploying from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, Jan. 26, 2013, the 351st has flown more than 100 sorties in support of the French, delivering more than 4.5 million pounds of fuel.

This mission is shown in pictures from start to final approach back to the deployed location. On this particular mission, the pilots were Capt. Tim Gerne, a Barnegat, N.J., native, and 1st Lt. John Lachiewicz a Chapel Hill, N.C., native. Airman 1st Class Anthony Ellsworth was the boom operator and a Gilbert, Ariz., native.

• Date Taken: 03.17.2013
• Date Posted: 03.19.2013 13:29
• Story ID: 103732
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)
• Hometown: BARNEGAT, NJ, US
• Hometown: CHAPEL HILL, NC, US
• Hometown: GILBERT, AZ, US